December 2020 by Dark Gable Productions Unlimited

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Efergrams

from the CEO

"When your determination changes, everything else will begin to move in the direction you desire. The moment you resolve to be victorious, every nerve and fiber in your being will immediately orient itself toward your success”. This is the one trait all aspiring entrepreneurs, entertainers, and visionaries elucidate, to conquer all the Haters, Discriminators and Dream Killers that you’ll encounter pursuing your dreams”.

Dark Gable Productions, LLC 1155 S. Power Road STE 114PMB320 Mesa, AZ 85206 480 |669 |9539 323 |440 |3339 swagnificent61@gmail.com ambiancemagazineinc@gmail.com

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content

Dayanara Romero ............................................ 05 Mr. Don Photos................................................. 11 The Birth of Ambi'ance Magazine LA/ATL ...... 18 Hawthorne James ............................................ 25 Joan Burton....................................................... 32 Linda Scott ....................................................... 38 Jacnique Nina................................................... 40 Christopher Dukes............................................ 44 Guadalupae D'Lushus...................................... 46 James Womack................................................ 51 Connie Romero................................................. 54 James Scott ..................................................... 57 Love Jazz.......................................................... 61 SiFred "Keynote" Mitchell.................................. 67 FuegoMarket's Flice Fuego ............................. 73

R.I.P Debbie Bakaimani.................................... 76

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ife is funny with its twists and turns. Although we never know where it will lead us, we laugh and we cry, we buck and we yell, but we ride it anyway, sometimes with our eyes shut and sometimes wide open, riding wherever LIFE takes us! This is exactly what Dayanara Romero has and continues to do. Born in Los Angeles, CA in 1974, this beauty would eventually leave the ’City of the Angels’ for the humidity, beaches and everglades of Florida, the ‘Sunshine State’. Ambi’ance Uncut was excited to catch up with Dayanara and see what she’s been up to these days. We decided to let her tell her story as only she can, about how she took a leap of faith as a young single mother moving across the country to start a new life for her and her children.

“…At the end of the day, despite what you went through, you are the star of that night.” -Dayanara

Dayanara: Oh, my God! Twenty years ago! Yes, it’s been incredible! Most people go to other places or stay where it’s hot. Well, twenty years ago I left Los Angeles where I was born and raised and moved to Florida. But, L.A., that’s my city, my birthplace, my everything, I left my whole livelihood over there, and it has been the most amazing experience! I came here as a single mom, two babies and one on the way. My daughter was four at the time and my older son was two and I was expecting my second son any day. I moved to Florida because I had the opportunity to start over and complete my college education. The transition was hard because I was used to tall buildings, subways and trains and all I saw here were cows and greenery! 5

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Ambi’ance: That was taking a leap of faith, not only to leave everything behind, but to do so at a very vulnerable time. You had two very small children and were expecting a third one. Then to attend college with its own set of demands. Most people have a hard-enough time doing this without any of those extras, but you did it! Dayanara: Yes, I was nine months pregnant when I flew from California to here. I had an amazing nurse who helped me out because you're not allowed to travel at nine months. It's considered high risk. I was lucky to say that I was six months pregnant and expecting twins, so I could travel, and I made it! So, first of all, let me start by saying that I must thank God! He has been there during every step of my life! My angels have been with me, too! I'm a very spiritual person, and my parents; who have been married forty-three years and counting, have been my supporters. My siblings, my beautiful siblings have also been there for me from day one. I have always had the mindset of ‘I’m gonna do this, I’m gonna do that. But in the back of my mind, I said, “I want to be a businesswoman.” I have a passion, so I had to go through a lot of hurdles to get

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where I wanted to be, and that’s what I did. I studied Criminology at Florida Metropolitan University and later Business Administration at Rasmussen College. I also did massage therapy and now I am the owner of my own company! I am the Owner and CEO of Beautiful International Women (BIW), where I represent the words, no, neither or the other! This means that there is no height, no gender, no weight, no size, no color. I also do runways and fashion shows and I am the State Regional Coordinator for the Glamour Society Models of Tampa. I also model and represent plus-size models and all of the models. And I represent the word. No, neither or the other. Ambi’ance: No, neither or the other? what made you come up with that and what does that mean? Dayanara: I'm actually a poet. I write poetry as well and one night I was sitting down and I had said, “I want my own company. I don't want nobody tied to me, or above me. I just want my own and I started it two years ago! So, my journey started when I met an amazing woman, Maria, who I later adopted as my godmother. We met when we were working together three years ago. I was a certified Spanish interpreter, with CyraCom and we were on the same team. One day we started talking and she kept looking at me, but I never asked any questions. She was like, “Can we have a conversation?” and I said, “Yeah, you want lunch?” So, we were sitting there in the break room, and you know, you never know where you are at or who's with you. Anyways, it turned out that she was actually the first model for David's Bridal in New York! So, she asked me, what I was doing in January? I’m single and when I get bored on the weekends I travel. I’ll catch a plane to Atlanta, California, Texas and that’s what I told her, “I’ll be traveling.” She said, “No, you’ll be modeling for me.” I looked at her and said, “Who me? Modeling? There’s no way, I’m plus-size. You know, I'm big. I'm not huge, but I'm big. I'm still a plus-sized woman, and I’ve gained some weight.” She's like, “Where?” You know, I see myself every day in the mirror. Needless to say, in January I was doing my first bridal fashion show here in Florida with Maria, and that was close to a year ago.

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From then on my runway fashion shows have been my passion. I had originally been modeling from the age of fourteen up until I was twenty-five, so this was a great opportunity for me to rediscover that love. Ambi’ance: You know, I like the concept of ‘no’ because now, especially with young ladies that may want to come into the modeling profession, there’s so much competition out here as to what they think women should look like. The ‘no’ enables them to have the necessary self-esteem of accepting and loving themselves for who they are and not for the look that they believe is desired in order to model. Even as adults, we get hung up on our body images and become self-conscious. Like you said earlier, when you were asked to model, the first thing that came to mind was the idea of being a plus-sized model. So, when we think of the tweens and their struggle of just being accepted by building their self-esteem, I think it’s a really good idea of incorporating the no, neither or other. To think that just two years ago, it took the words of another to jump start your passion and vision, re-igniting your self-esteem. Dayanara: That is so true. Most definitely! That is true because I see models, don't get me wrong, but Victoria Secret models are beautiful! However, so are every other woman. Every woman is beautiful in her own way, her own style. But I love collard greens, I love chicken, and mashed potatoes, I love tortillas and hey, if you love me, then you're gonna have to love me, and love me with my love handles. Now, if you want to work on yourself, of course, go ahead, no problem. But do it for the right reason. If you feel comfortable with who you are right now, love yourself. Look at yourself in the mirror and say, “You know what, you’re beautiful and I love you!” Ambi’ance: That's where it starts and it works! When you truly love yourself and your flaws, it radiates on the outside, and I think that is more beautiful than any superficial image portraying the perfect body. I mean everyone has an opinion of what a beautiful body should look like, and every woman should build the next woman up instead of judging her flaws. But if the outside image does not match the true inner feelings, it

will show regardless of her size. Dayanara: That is true. If you love yourself from the inside as well, you’ll love yourself from the outside. Just remember you're going to get to an age where, your youth was your youth. You get into middle age and then you get to that age, I call the ‘wise age’. So, I now have models who love themselves from the age of fifteen to sixty-five!

Victoria Secret models are beautiful! However, so are every other woman. Every woman is beautiful in her own way, her own style. Ambi’ance: Where do you find your models? Dayanara: I do castings, meet them at other shows, or sometimes I meet them through amazing designers. I actually started my photoshoot with Jacka Saldana, a beautiful designer, here in Tampa, and an amazing woman. She was my first photographer. I started out with her design and her pictures. I also did one of her shows as well, a masquerade gala here in Tampa. I met other women and men, so in my shows, just because it’s called, Beautiful International Women, every gender is represented, therefore the other! So, you just don’t have to be a woman! Ambi’ance: Life is funny because sometimes you never know when things are meant for you. You just automatically do it, and you can't stop. So, would you say that this was your first introduction to the runway and not only did you take to it like a fish to water, but you then brought others into the profession with you? Dayanara: Yes exactly! But I put my own twist on it.

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There are so many runways and fashion shows, and they’re all beautiful but I wanted mine to be unique. I wanted them to be themselves during the model castings. I would meet them at Applebee’s. They're like, “Applebee's, hmmm, that’s different.” I will spend a beautiful afternoon with them talking. I want to know what their passion is, what they are hungry for. That question always stood out to me. What was I hungry for and how would I get it? So, that became my question to my models when I interviewed them. Finally, I’d ask them to show me their runway walk right here in the parking lot. They would be, “Right here?” Yep, right here. If I see and feel your charisma, then I can feel your heart. When you are in my company, you are not attached to me. You sign a contract to take pictures to model, but you're a freelancer, and you can go to whoever you want. Ambi’ance: Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me and I like your interviewing style. It makes sense. The thing is, if you’re being genuine, it’ll come out naturally because you don’t have to think about it. You’re not doing it because someone else wants you to, it’s your passion and it will radiate in your presentation, your stance, your stride. Dayanara: Yes. And that's what I love. I actually had my first show on December 14th of last year called, ‘Divas and Divos of Royalness”. Ambi’ance: Sweet! With that being your first one, how was that?

Dayanara: Being the first one, wow, you learn a lot! You learn who is with you and who is not, and who has the passion for what you are trying to accomplish. I have a staff member and I have to name this amazing young lady who is my goddaughter. Her name is Amber Joy. She is my Personal Assistant and my Makeup Artist/Hairstylist and has been with me from day one, even before this concept was written on a piece of paper. This young lady worked with me as a Spanish interpreter and quit her job a week after my first photo-shoot. When I asked, why, she simply said because

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she believes in me! Wow! So, on December 31st of last year, I knelt down and asked God to leave the people that will be with my company and take away what is not for me because I wanted to grow. I want my models to grow. I want my staff to grow. This is not just for me because there is no I in the team. So, my team now consists of Amber Joy, of course, an amazing woman, Kesha Tiller known as ‘Queen’ my Executive General Coordinator/Queens Productions & Photographer. My amazing, Jules Blaze, “Swedish” Assistant Coordinator. I have Kemaul Benyah Yashira Burns, Videographer/ Website Designer/Photographer, Sharon Ricks McNeely, Event Consultant, Miss Maria, and my newest member, Nevaeh McNeely, Junior Brand Ambassador of Glamour Society of Tampa, and who is also Sharon’s daughter. We are located here in Florida and our second show will be January 23, 2021 at the Tampa Heights Civic Center! It’ll be my nickname, ‘L.A. Divas the Best of the Best Fashion Designers’ and you have to come down! I'm going to have amazing designers and right now, I have a total of nine designers!

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Ambi’ance: I’d love to come down and January is a good time of the year to be in Florida. Yes, I’ll place it on my calendar! Dayanara: Awesome! I had another amazing adventure. You know, living in L.A. as a little girl, you know you walk on Hollywood Boulevard. Well, I lived in Hollywood and Wilcox, so I walked where all of the beautiful stars are. Well, this year, I had an amazing time as I actually went to the Oscars, and I wore an amazing design from Odalys Marino’s Nory’s Design Boutique! She is an amazing designer here in Tampa and a top international model. Ambi’ance: How was that experience? Dayanara: It was beautiful and amazing! I was invited by Chonzel Martin and I want to give a shout out to him because he is the one who gave me the opportunity of being the State Coordinator for the Glamour Society Models of Florida. He is the owner of Be Unique

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Magazine. and the Glamour Society Models of North Hollywood, Anaheim. So yeah, it was an amazing experience, and I met some beautiful people! All I can say is that it was a dream come true! Ambi’ance: Well, Dayanara, this has been amazing, and a pleasure and I am looking forward to seeing you in January. But before we go, tell us a little something about yourself that no one knows. (laughing) Dayanara: (laughing) Hmmmmm, Okay, let's see. I'm a box of surprises and people don’t know what I have coming next! A lot of people do not know that I am a fifteen-year cancer survivor or that I used to be a car racer! An illegal car racer! (laughing) Yes, like the Fast and the Furious! That’s who I was! (laughing) Ambi’ance: Love it! (laughing) That’s all part of being yourself and not conforming to what people think you should be or who they believe you to be! This is you being YOU!

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Dayanara: Also, not even two weeks ago, I was invited for the first time to be a model for the St. Petersburg Arts Fashion Week where I got to model for an amazing designing company called Kuen Closets, and I walked for Candace Christian an amazing plus-size model. It was a beautiful night and I met so many wonderful people and photographers. Ambi’ance: I've heard that St. Petersburg is beautiful. Dayanara: Yes, it is. It is also where my future husband has been living, so yes! Ambi’ance: So, on top of everything else, you have found love? Dayanara: Yes, I found love after I had given up on love. I had asked God for him and he had asked God for me, our story is incredible! It's amazing that we both had asked for each other! I was not looking for a boyfriend. God was preparing me to be his wife, and the ancestors were preparing him to be my husband! Ambi’ance: Awwww, I'm such a sucker for love stories. I just am! Dayanara: Oooooh, would you like to know how it went?! Well, we met in August. Yeah, it was August! I was called by a friend who said that a designer was looking for models for an upcoming show in October, so we went to St. Petersburg. As I was getting ready to get out of my car, I sat there for a minute to zip the heel of my shoe, I looked up and I saw the most amazingly chocolate man! I was like, oh my God, that brother is delicious, but girl, you are here to do a job! So I......

As we continued to talk about her amazing story of new-found love, her vision for her company, the love and support of her family and friends, we thought of her journey. We thought of the courage it took for that single mother twenty some odd years ago with two babies and one due any day to take a chance on herself by leaving everything that she’s ever known to fly across the country into the unknown and fulfill her vision of

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becoming a businesswoman! It makes so much sense, you know, regardless of what you go through in life, our destinies are already in place for us to achieve. The day she stepped on that plane was already in the stars and she reached for them! Now she’s the Owner and CEO of Beautiful International Women (BIW), where she represents the words, no, neither or the other. We at Ambi’ance Uncut tip our hats to you and we will always be there with love and support throughout the remainder of your journey! “Yes, God is good all of the time. My favorite hymn is Amazing Grace! My other quote is ‘Never let your sadness judge your thinking.’ We sometimes get caught up in emotion and we predict the past as our future. The past is not something that’s permanent. It passes, and the future is waiting to be written, so yes, never let your sadness affect your thinking.--Dayanara

Dayanara sends love, thanks and acknowledgments to: Parents: Siblings:

Jesus Quezada (Hero and First Love) Rosa Quezada (My Warrior) Dalila (La Gorda, My Bestie) Jesse Quezada (Baby Bro JJ)

My Children, my world, my pride and joy: Angie (Fierce & Princess) Eros (My Ojos) Luis (Bubba Heart of my Hearts) Last but truly not least, my future husband: Enden Reed-EL (My Best Friend & Soulmate)

Follow Dayanara on: Facebook: Dayanara Romero Instagram: @Bora1974Bora

“Beauty is not just in the eye of the beholder, but for the eye of the lens. In other words, when I put my eye on my lens, I see nothing but beauty. Even before I put the eye on the lens as the eye of the beholder, I create beauty from the Alpha to the Omega. From the beginning to the end, I instruct each and every photo shoot. The hair looks right. The makeup looks right. The lighting is right. You understand what I’m saying? I know how to tell people what not to do and what to do or this or that for the simple fact that I have experience in all three of those areas. And that’s what, that’s what gives me that edge! —Mr. Don Photos

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Spoken with wellearned confidence, the vision of this ‘triple threat’ has opened amazing life changing opportunities to up and coming models, stylists, make-up artists, set directors, and even established photographers. Ambi’ance Uncut met this amazing man years ago and have remained friends and collaborators since then. However, we wanted to share with our readers what makes this man respected amongst his peers in the industry after creating the “NYC Shoot-a-Thon.” How and why did he do it?

MDP: Well, the NYC Shoot-a-Thon is New York city’s largest photo sharing networking event on the entire east coast. Let me say, I have an amazing realm of talent. I’ve been a hairstylist for thirty plus years, a makeup artist for twenty-five years, and a photographer for almost twenty years, so I’ve had the ability to do a lot of things. Now, what prompted me to do a shoot-a-thon is, because I’ve been published in so many different magazines in my up and coming days. I’ve worked as a platform artist for Bonner Brothers and all of the big shows and hair companies and I’ve also done photography for a lot of different magazines and for different catalog work. One day it just rang a bell, because I have tons and tons of photography equipment and I told my wife that I needed to get rid of some of this stuff. I just didn’t know what to do with all of it. She said maybe I should just put it all

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in one room and let people use it. I said maybe I can put it all in one room, bring in all different talents and let them use it. So, that’s where the idea came from. I did the first one for free and I invited people from all over and everyone was just doing hair and photography. People came in and built sets for me and it became a frenzy! We did this for one day and I did it again later on in that year and decided to do it for two days, I did it on Friday and Saturday and then on Sunday, I had a big fashion show and that is when I met Jonathan! There were so many sets and so many people came from different parts of the United States. It was unbelievable! I started promoting it, putting out advertisements and getting sponsors. Then we started building different more elaborate sets. Now everybody was participating because they were able to do what no one was able to do for pennies on the dollar! We had eightyfive photographers, 165 models each day, twelve hours a day. We had thirty make-up artists, fifteen hairstylists, twenty designers, all coming together, building portfolios for each other. There were about ten to fifteen different magazines who now could publish all exclusive pictures from the photographers. There are make-up artists, hair stylists, designers, models, all receiving their pictures from the photographers. Each photographer is obligated to give up at least four to five edited professional pictures to each of those different entities.

that’s what

the shoot is all

about, the glitz and glamour,

putting people

together and

allowing them

three days to

exercise their

talents, without focusing on just

one group.

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Now, what happens is that everyone builds a huge portfolio. So, if you’ve got fifty-four photographers and you personally shot with thirteen of them, can you imagine what you’ve accomplished by the end of two days with the different hair and makeup sets? On top of that, we had sixteen different sets with exotic cars lining the streets during the day, we had a 10,000 sq ft rooftop space where we literally placed a 10x10 pool. We had inside lofts with different sets and backdrops (New York sceneries, Chinese, Egyptian sets, boudoirs, bathtubs with a variety of bubble sets, living rooms, brick walls…) all built! So, you can imagine how much work went into that. It was big!

cause of COVID, I have a free beach shoot-a-thon. I had to cancel this year because 307 people registered! Yeah, 307 and that’s only the people who registered from Eventbrite! Can you imagine the ones that got the address from the social media platforms? So, I was really looking at about 500 people! The sheriff called and told me that I need to rethink what I was doing. Due to COVID, I ended up having to cancel. Now, you know we still did it, right? Yep, on another beach with about fifty-five of us! (laughing)

Ambi’ance: Did you ever think this event would grow to this magnitude?

MDP: Oh yeah, several small ones would work. If this thing never subsides, then that's going to be the future. I normally do the free one in the summer, but because we didn't have the big one that we normally do in April and I had literally moved it to August because of the pandemic and it was still here in August, that's when we decided that we were just going to do it at the beach. But I really didn't think that it was going to be a response of this magnitude, but it was! People started calling from Atlanta and Texas. Now you have all these people coming through. This was during the time that there were hotspots all over and New York had been a hotspot before it died down. People were coming in and being tested, but imagine, I got a host of people from South Carolina, North Carolina, Minnesota, Indianapolis,

MDP: Yes, you know why? I thought it would grow to that because I’m an Aries and I always want better and bigger things each and every time. I just kept seeing it get bigger and bigger and bigger. My goal is to take it to different states, and different countries. I have photographers coming from Germany and China! Ambi’ance: Where in NY are you holding these shoot-a-thons? MDP: We now have three days and two locations, the Clinton Hill section of Brooklyn and Manhattan. We do two days in the Clinton Hills section of Brooklyn and the third day, we shoot in Manhattan. Now be-

Ambi’ance: (laughing) With the COVID pandemic, are you considering scaling back the usual shoota-thon to several small ones?

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I’m talking about Connecticut, Jersey, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Delaware, I mean they were all over and my demographics were outweighing those that were coming from New York! You know why? Because it’s not just a photo shoot, or power shoot, it was a three-day weekend like the Bonner Brothers or the International Hair Show, or anything that brings you to a vacation, but you’re staying in an Airbnb or hotels. Now we have parties on the weekends and I’m throwing in a fourth day because we’re going to do it the same way again, and the beach day is going to be a chillaxin day! Ambi’ance: When you first started the shoot-a-thon, were these photographers amateurs? MDP: Well, a lot of them were, but a lot were the crew that I run with. I run with a crew from the New York City Image Group. We've been friends for years and these guys have been in the business way before me. I'm not going to brag, but I'm a hell of a photographer! So, I’ve got respect in the industry. You know what I'm saying? Being a triple threat with hair, makeup and photography, puts me in position to be at places that a lot of people don't get to go. Ambi’ance: How, did you get into being a MUA (make-up artist) that’s the up and coming craze now?

MDP: It's the same thing. I got tired of looking for makeup artists and I went to school. I don't know

if you remember Mark Trainer, the guy who did work with Loreal Cosmetics, well he had a school in New York, and I studied there and later went on to owning a makeup school for a while. My granddaughter is doing makeup and nails now. It’s YouTube! YouTube makes the difference now because people are now walking out of the kitchen and walking into the arena looking like they just stepped out of a magazine. And that's what the shoot is all about, the glitz and glamour, putting people together and allowing them three days to exercise their talents, without focusing on just one group. Everyone is their own superstar, their own entity. Every MUA, hair stylist, photographer, model, designer, videographer, blogger, magazine, anybody that wants to learn, that is the purpose, and the whole concept of the shoot-a-thon, making it such a hot commodity here and elsewhere! Ambi’ance: As a veteran in the industry, as well, I remember how we felt when we were getting ready for the shows. The excitement and anticipation of going up against some of the best of the best in the industry. That’s pretty much died down as you don’t see the intensity of those shows anymore. So, you have re-birthed that feeling and immersed it into the new generation where they are bringing different flavors to the table. We didn’t have videographers back then. Maybe someone with a ‘movie camera’, but videography wasn’t thought of then

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and we didn’t have the mix with social media. So, the shoot-a-thon has brought a new flavor to what we ‘used’ to do, giving it a brand-new form of excitement! MDP: That's why it's changed because everything is now social media, and it’s bigger than TV! So, because of that, everything is fast and instant gratification. And that's what, the shoot-a-thon is about. Giving people their own platform. But at the same time, unifying all the entities. So, you know, you don't have to be a lost cause in the shoota-thon. you have something to contribute. You know what I mean? Whatever your talent is, you're not looked down upon because you’re needed. It’s like a fist. All of these entities coming together, and you make a powerful, powerful point. And that's what it did for Jonathan. He loved it so much whenever he couldn’t make it, he wanted me to take it to Texas and do it all in different places. That’s the hard part, the easy part is dreaming about it. I have another company called Wealth Builders Networking Event. Ambi’ance: And what is a Wealth Builders Networking Event? MDP: It’s everything Black, by Blacks, be Black, for Black, invite Black, sell Black. Yes! People have said to me, “You shouldn’t say that because you’re in the hair industry and the fashion industry with White people.” I'm going to say this because this is different and I’m going to say this because I’m going to

say this, and it has an effect. They have to understand, I like this! This is how my wife and I do. We try to buy as much stuff Black as possible. Totally, cutting out our competitions, and I’ve done that so far with the Wealth Builders Network Mixer, you understand? It also brings together all types of talent, politicians, singers and so forth, as well as people who just want to get together at one event, networking. Ambi’ance: Okay. Hey, it sounds good. It reminds me of mixers I used to attend. MDP: Yeah, exactly. Ambi’ance: Yes, those are missing these days as well! As we come to a close, we have learned a lot about the NYC Shoot-a-Thon. Now tell us a little bit about you! MDP: Well, I'm innovative, charismatic. My wife just said that I’m full of sh**! (laughing) Ambi’ance: (laughing) Wellllll, MDP: (laughing) I’m very, very super friendly! If you go on to any of my social media pages, or talk to anyone who knows me, you would never, ever, out of thousands of pictures of me, find me without a smile. I had a contest once, and I think there were about 2,100 pictures that were found. And out of nine social media platforms, they found ONE picture of me not smiling. In that picture I was actually looking at the camera at pictures

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and someone snapped that shot and tagged me in it. So, I never thought of it. When the person found it, I said okay, because I was offering a free makeover and photoshoot. And guess what? The person who found it was a photographer! Ambi’ance: Was the person that shot the picture? MDP: No, she wasn't. But, she said that she wanted to meet me so bad! I was like, oh my God, that was so simple. Like all you had to do was just say hi or talk about it. She stated that she didn’t know if her skills would be up to par! So that's one of things that you can't or could never say about me. You can be the worst photographer in the world and I'm going to share my experience, just like I shared my experience on that platform, every single day for all of those years! Ambi’ance: In this industry we have so much to give. As a former instructor and salon owner, we understand that we are in the industry of service. Our gifts are not ours to keep, but to share. We share our talents with our clients and our knowledge with our students and colleagues. That’s what keeps and makes us successful in this business, along with the lives that we’ve touched along the way just by being there for them, teaching and servicing them!

MDP: Yes, that’s what we do! We’re in the service industry! I’ve been serving all of my life, forty-two years

in the industry. I graduated at seventeen, and for forty-two years I’ve been making people happy. So, yes, we are teachers and it’s the same with the Shoot-A-Thon. The Shoota-Thon creates and makes monsters and it makes peace. So many people have done so much, with so many magazines ad it was because of the Shoot-A-Thon, I had transgender who thanked me because they said, “If it wasn’t for you,” because they came to the Shoot-a-Thon and shot with me, they found their voice and was able to be themselves.… But I received so many thank you letters and so forth. Ambi’ance: As we work in this business that we love, we never really fully understand the difference that we are making in the lives of others. It’s funny because I would see people after I left the business and they would say, “Oh, I remember that day when I came in and I was feeling really down, we talked and you hooked my hair up and you really made me, just feel good!” In my mind I don’t remember that day in particular, however, because they remembered my service, and the way I made them feel, then my mission was accomplished! MDP: Exactly, that’s what they remember. They remember who you are! I just say, I’m going to die that person! I want a red suit on because that’s all I ever represented was red suits! They are going to have to figure it out, because I want to leave here with my smile! Finally, they are going to

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play my favorite song, “….ooooh child, things are going to be easier, oooooh child, things are going to be brighter,….someday, yeah, we’ll put it together and we’ll get it undone, someday, when your head is much lighter, someday, yeah we’ll walk in the rays of the beautiful sun, someday the world is much brighter…..” When this is all over, that’ll be MY exit! It was truly a pleasure talking to Mr. Don Photos as we reminisced and ultimately realized that we may have crossed paths thirty some odd years ago during hair shows when we both were very active in the industry, we also talked about the present and looked towards the future understanding our destinies and our legacies. Mr. Don Photos’ journey is far from completion as his vision is very rich and expansive, like he stated, he loves creating “monsters” in the field, uniting all entities for the common good and we at Ambi’ance Uncut will be there fully in the mix! Follow him on:

Instagram: @Nycshootathon, @nycshootathon_bts, @Mr.DonPhotos Facebook: Don Pittman (Mr. Don Photos) WEB: www.MrDonPhotos.com www.nycshootathon.com

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Ambi’ance Magazine The Birth of

LA/ATL

n December 2011, a concept was born, and a platform implemented in a one-bedroom flat off La Brea Avenue and Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles. After working in community services for over twenty-five years, it was time to develop an aggregate of all the various entities experienced around the country. It had to be something that would not only entertain but

inform and eventually inspire. This avant-garde cocktail would

blend print social media, fashion, Hollywood entertainment, public service, standup comedy, and music into something totally different than Ebony, Jet, Essence, Sister2Sister or People magazines. The thing that set this vehicle apart from the other more established tabloids was that this would be a “People’s Magazine”. In other words, we would edify and illuminate the efforts of those creative individuals who were

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trying to get to the top of the food chain. Our mission was to provide a platform for the actors, singers, writers, directors, producers, models, innovators, and visionaries both established or up and coming! In the beginning we rarely highlighted the A-Listers or Hollywood’s elite (they found us). Originally, we centered around one of the more interesting and unsung professions in the country, Stand-Up Comedy! This eventually led to stints at the Comedy Store, Laugh Factory, Hol-

lywood Improv, The J Spot, ACME Comedy, Flappers Comedy Club, Jon Lovitz Theater and the Comedy Union (which was just two blocks from my apartment). Inevitably, the doors opened to some of Hollywood’s hottest stars. It wasn’t long before the likes of Steve Harvey, Marc Howard, Luenell, Earthquake, Kym Whitley, Cedric the Entertainer, Marla Gibbs, Red Grant, Queen Latifah, Snoop Dogg, Mike Epps, Hope Flood, Kevin Hart, A.J. John-

son, Myra J, Omar Gooding, T.C. Carson, Kim Coles, Schatar ‘Hottie’ Taylor, Doug Christie, Lamar Odom, and Tiffany ‘New York’ Pollard started extending invites to some of their most exciting events. Soon, Ambi’ance Magazine started gracing the celebrity red carpets of the People's Choice Awards, The Nokia Center, The H.O.M.E., The Beverly Hills Hotel, The Gracie Awards, The Crenshaw Christian Center, The American Heritage Awards, Academy Awards, Emmys, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Maver-

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ick Flats, The Staples Center, The St. Bonaventure Hotel, The Hilton Bayfront, The California African American Museum, Club Hola, The Intercontinental Hotel, and The Infusion Lounge at Universal City just to name a few.

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Eventually because of the quality of work and the good reputation we garnered, invites began coming in from outside of SoCal (Southern California). Promoters from New York, Atlanta, Miami, Philadelphia, Washington DC,

Houston, Chi-Town, and Columbia, South Carolina started calling. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Peoples Magazineâ&#x20AC;? had truly arrived! We were affordable, genuine, relatable, and accessible (online & hard copy purchases were available).

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However, the true testimony of how far we came was revealed the night of our Ambiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ance Release Party & Fundraiser (held at the Hollywood Celebrity Center). Due to scheduling constraints we only had one weekend that would work

for all the venders, silent auction participants, performers and MC. On top of that the Celebrity Center was booked solid for the next three months! Ambiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ance was hot and we needed

to strike while the iron was hot, so an executive decision was made to proceed with that weekend. Now, what was the problem with that weekend you ask? Well February 28th is the weekend of the Academy Awards show (one of the most

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prestigious and popular events in the world). So, if you want to profit from an event that requires ticket sales revenue in a public arena, never schedule during weekends that conflict with The Academy Awards, The Superbowl, NCAA March Mad-

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ness, NBA Finals, The Emmys, The BET Awards, The ESPYS, or any MLB or NBA All-Star game (especially in Southern California). Despite this, Ambiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ance Magazine opened its doors at 2:00 pm to a generous crowd! Although we did not have

standing room only, our audience was more than formidable. Several celebrities dropped by to congratulate and pay their respects. The silent auction was a success as was our celebrity after party (at Maverick Flats).

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Our launch party not only defied the odds but it inspired us to raise the bar and create a more diverse stream of income (i.e. expand our celebrity red carpet services, implement collaborations with plus-size modeling agencies,

create our own production and promotional service, and develop our own management and referral service. Our most recent project was the inception of X’treme Nailz Internation-

al, LLC and X-Nailz Magazine which dropped September 2020. Next on tap is The Road Dogs Show (a Live Podcast starring Ronda “Mz. Kitty” Robinson & Mr. SwagNificent)

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Scene from the short Abandoned Act (2018)

“Never let people define ‘who’ you are. Never give up. Never let people tell you what you can and can’t do!” —Hawthorne James

Straight out of the windy city of Chicago, IL, Hawthorne James, born James Hawthorne, had an affinity early in life that he was destined to be an actor. Hawthorne would soon attend the same Catholic school as his older and popular siblings did before him. However, by the time he arrived, the nuns were rightfully tired and knew the family very well. Hawthorne eventually would “grace” their stage around the age of five or six in the kindergarten school plays. At first, all he did was run around in circles playing ‘It’, until he realized that somebody was finally paying attention to him. Someone was looking at him! Then, he

knew! He knew that he could run around better than the other children who were running in circles. “I said to myself, I know how to do this. I CAN do this! So, I think it all started there. Then throughout the years, I did another play or two in grade school and later in high school, there was a priest who had done a play and every other year it would be either ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ or ‘Hamlet’. The year I became eligible, which was my tenth-grade year, the play was ‘Hamlet’. I knew I should have been playing Hamlet, but a senior usually gets that role. I also knew during rehearsal I should be playing Hamlet, and I would say to myself, “No, that’s not okay what the actor is doing!”

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But I played the guard in the opening of the play and my mother was amazed because apparently, I mumbled, and no one understood me as a child. Anyway, my mother and grandmother came to see the play and when I opened my mouth, my mother leaned over to my grandmother and said to her, “Is that James Herbert?”, because they understood clearly everything I was saying. So, whenever I got on stage, it was a whole new world for me. There was no shyness and apparently none of the stuff that hindered me as a child.” During his high school years, the priest would take these plays on the road. They traveled to Minnesota, Wisconsin, and throughout the state of Illinois performing plays. It would be then, that Hawthorne saw a side of life outside of his own. “When we traveled with the plays, we would stay at White people’s houses. Now, as a kid from the Southside of Chicago, I never saw White people unless it was the nuns, the priests, the Jewish guy that owned the store next door, or the insurance man that came around once a month. Then, there were those seen on the occasional trips with my grandparents downtown. Other than that, we never saw White people. But, all of a sudden here I am, staying in White people’s houses where they had meat at every meal, the kids had their own rooms, the house was big and beautiful and they had grass outside and stuff! At sixteen years of age, I looked at it and I said to myself, “I want some of this!” So, I would say, the-

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we are human beings! Every individual is different and you’re the complexities of everyday life, but they don’t see us as that. They see us as those who feel victimized and who will accept our lot in life now. Hell, to the no!! ater opened my eyes to an entirely different world.” Hawthorne completed high school and later attended junior college where he would eventually transfer after receiving a scholarship to Notre Dame. He received his bachelor’s degree in Theatre and went on to the University of Michigan where he obtained his Masters. With scholarship offers to attend Yale and Cornell, Hawthorne decided not to continue with school. Instead, he taught for two years at Illinois State University before moving to LA where he won a scholarship from an acting competition given by Ted Lange (Ted played the bartender, Isaac Washington on Love Boat). The scholarship allowed Hawthorne to study in London at the London Shakespeare Academy. “I’ve taken acting serious all of my life and I’ve done a lot of training. Even if I hadn’t gone to college, or not knowing if

I could make a living at it, acting, it’s something that I totally enjoy! It doesn’t matter if I’m doing it for $5, no dollars, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000. Every time I step on a set, every time I walk on the stage, it’s the same feeling. ‘I never want to shortchange the audience.’ So, the money means nothing to me. It’s my pride in my work that really matters. When you come out to see me on stage or see me in a film, I never want you to say, “Oh, I saw him in that and he did the same thing ten years ago in another movie, and he played the same character.” No, like I said, I take pride in the fact that every character is different. They become a real human being so that you never ever see the same performance at any time, because as an actor, it is my job to take that script and make that character different in my mind. That’s the pride I show in my performances.” We have all either read or seen a Shakespearean play. Some of us have even played or memorized a role or quote while in school. However, Hawthorne has studied at the London Shakespeare Academy, right in the heart of true Shakespeare territory, and as lovers of the arts we were curious regarding his experience there. “It was a great experience! Like I said, I had my first experience with Shakespeare in high school. Then of course, in college, we did Shakespeare and the “classical theater”. But, when I actually went to London, there was a whole different mindset! When

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Shakespeare talks about the French people, you know, it’s theoretically. In classes and so forth, when Shakespeare said French, the people would boo, because the French and English were enemies all of the time. They just don’t like each other, but when you go there, you actually see the difference between people, you understand? I mean, I’ve always thought that white people all looked alike until I went to school in England. White people don’t all look alike the same way you can tell the difference between the Japanese, Korean, Chinese or Thai people. There’s a difference between the French and the English, a very distinct difference. That is when you start to understand Shakespeare, and it was a fascinating thing. I also learned in England, the differences and the subtlety in writers’ works whether it be, Shakespeare or Ossie Davis or Ron Milner or whether it be an African playwright, there are subtleties that you have to dig, find, and understand what those are. And that's the fun of what I do. The fun of digging and researching and getting into that character. Because I know when I work as a writer, it takes time for me to understand each individual character, and I hope that the actors who are performing those characters, would understand the subtleties that I have written in them. We were able to grab a bowl of popcorn and review a few of Hawthorne’s character roles, like Sam, the injured bus driver in Speed, we replayed The Five Heartbeats

where we loved to hate and respect Big Red’s office hours, we enjoyed him as the patriarch, Uncle Bo, in The Stick Up Kids (which he also directed) and as the night watchman, George in Seven. All, Hawthorne James and all different characters true to his promise of individuality. With such a distinctive physical appearance, instead of individual characters, each as unique as the actor who portrays them, we wondered how Hawthorne was able to keep from being pigeon-holed into a stereotypical character. “They tend to do that because most Hollywood people are lazy. It’s all about the money and not about the art for most of them. It’s very rare that you get a combination of art and money and I’ve been very fortunate that I haven’t been pigeonholed in that way. I mean, I don’t do a lot of Hollywood major stuff. They’ll want you to do the same thing over and over again and I refuse to do that. For that reason, most of my work since the late nineties has been independent work, you know, if I’m not enjoying myself, then I don’t need to do it. Since we were on the subject, we wondered if Hawthorne had ever turned down work, or accepted work because someone else wanted him even if it went against his morals or standards or maybe just for the money? “Look, I’ve got a script that I’ve written about two Black women who were sisters and Warner Brothers and 20th Century Fox offered me almost a million dollars to purchase it. More like $999,000!

Well the script is a story about two middle-classed sisters who grew up with ambitious women, etc., etc. etc. and it came back to me asking, “Oh, by the way, can these women be White?” I said give me my script back and y’all can shove your money up your…. So, there can’t be middle-class Blacks moving upwards? We can’t be ambitious? They can’t have complex stories because Hollywood doesn’t look at us like that…we are not complex human beings; we are human beings! Every individual is different and you’re the complexities of everyday life, but they don’t see us as that. They see us as those who feel victimized and who will accept our lot in life now. Hell, to the no!! That’s not the way it is. So, yeah, I’ve turned down money, because I HAVE to turn down money. You see there are two things in my life that I don’t do. I won’t use the ‘N’ word. I stopped using it in my personal life during my twenties. So, I won’t say it on screen or television. It’s not enough money for me to say it. So, I don’t use it. And I won’t put on a dress! So those two things alone as a Black man, I will not do. If you do that, you’ll do anything. That’s the litmus test! You have to remember, my last nine to five job I was one of the highest paid Black executives in Hollywood, so I sat in on those meetings. I was the spook that sat by the door and the White people would talk as if I weren’t there. I saw how writers would write Black roles in movies, and when they produced them the Black roles were gone and replaced by White peo-

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ple. This is not theoretically; I saw these things happen in front of my own eye! I was in post-production and everything that Tristar Pictures did came across my desk, all of the salaries, all of the scripts before they were greenlighted, all of it. So, I am not only an actor, but I’m a writer, producer, director and an executive and have seen this business from every angle. In answer to your question, yes, I will and have walked away from money to remain loyal to my standards.”

With a new project, Necessary Sacrifices, Two Great Leaders in A Time of Crisis, a filmed stage play which not only is streaming on North Coast Repertory Theatre at https://northcoastrep.org/production/necessary-sacrifices/ but has now been extended due to popular demand. This film play is based on the real life experiences, and the autobiographies of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas. “They actually met in the White House several times and this play is based on those meetings, what they wrote about, their struggles with the war, politics, peace, morals and here we are 160 years later, we are still saying the exact same words Douglas said then, “My God! We have lived by your side for two centuries, and you are still as ignorant of who we really are as ever!” Now, if these don’t sound like the words of today,160 years ago, then I don’t know what in the world does!!!! With such a strong personality to represent, I wanted people to have this knowledge. I want them to un-

derstand what this world is. The real world! I know my parents and grandparents who are the most devout religious and faithful people in this world died without having seen change. But, these words, 160 years later!! Go to the website and find out how to stream this play. It’s one of the top ten plays I’ve ever done in my life and I want everyone to see it! It’s fascinating and it’s written by Richard Hellesen and the work, I’m really proud of the work that has been done!” Hawthorne also has another project on the horizon which is expected to be released within the next month or so. “…I'm extremely proud of this project as well. I have another film I did in North Carolina about

six months ago, called, ‘Polished Soul’. It's about a Black man who was convicted of murder when he was seventeen. He was sentenced to life and after seventeen years he was paroled. He wrote a book and then filmed his life story. It’s an amazing story, but those are the types of things that I want to be involved in. I have to admit to you that I am extremely protective of a Black man’s cause. I am so sick of seeing the way that Black men are portrayed in the media, film, television and print media. It bothers me because my daddy and my grandfathers were the greatest men I ever met, and I never get to see those men on screen. So, I fight very hard to have positive images of Black men, because that’s who we are.

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As Black people, that is our problem. When Malcolm and Dr. King were killed, there was no one else groomed. We should be like the Hydra, you cut off one head and there are five more to take its place. That’s my concern. You see, I AM ONE OF US, and I absolutely believe that I won’t be free until you are free, and it’s a proven fact. There are images portrayed around them. The world views film and television which are the most powerful and impactful things there are in the world. It's like propaganda. We all know how powerful propaganda is. If they can repeat the same thing over and over again, people start to believe it. So, we must control our own narrative. It's like the script of the two sisters, I turned that money down, and this was back in the mid-nineties. People told me I was crazy! They said they wouldn’t have turned down a million dollars. Well, I looked at them and I said, if you sell out your soul once, how easy it is to sell out the second, third and fourth time, and you have to live with that, you HAVE to live with that. There is al-

ready a depiction of us worldwide. That's why the Koreans, Chinese and Arabs come over here, buy a business in your neighborhood, and treat you like dirt because of the images they see of us on television or movies. That's how they think you are to be treated. No, that has to stop and I'm not standing for that! You can't treat me like that, and they can’t treat YOU like that! They’ve got the wrong partner. It costs me money and sometimes it has cost me jobs, but I don’t care, because at the end of the day, what matters is my integrity. That means more to me than all the money ever printed.” As he spoke about the portrayals of Black men on screen and how their

images are perceived around the world, we also thought about our conversation with him throughout this interview, and we decided to bring the subject closer to home. With the young people protesting social and systemic injustices we wondered what Hawthorne thought, considering that he is using his platform as an artist to fight for the same equality on the stage and screens. “I think it's wonderful. Because the only thing the RULERS of this world understand is violence because that is who they are. They are the ones who have always brought violence to this world. So, I don't want to hear all this kumbaya crap, no, bring it on! I absolutely applaud the young people for stepping up and fighting this fight, but I want them to be strategic about it and leaders will emerge from this in their own time. But my concern with that is, how many presidents of the United States have been assassinated? Yet, the United States never folded because there was always someone groomed behind them, ready to take their place. As Black people, that is our problem. When Malcolm and Dr. King were killed, there was no one else groomed. We should be like the Hydra, you cut off one head and there are five more to take its place. That’s my concern. You see, I AM ONE OF US, and I absolutely believe that I won't be free until you are free, and it’s a proven fact. I’ve been stopped by the police innumerable times since I was eleven years old. And twice in the last two years within a six

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month period. It doesn’t matter how much money you make, or how famous you are. As long as our skin is the same color as Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Eric Gardner,…..we are them! So, I've never put myself above my people. I have brothers and sisters who are concierges, worked for the post office, and you know, who are factory workers, right? Am I better than them? Oh, hell no!” Anyway, before I forget, I want to say that I try to do this in every interview that I give, well, about 90% of them. But I get so busy and sometimes I forget, but I owe my success to black people because, I mean, literally, and this is not figuratively. A number of times I was standing at a gas station, counting my nickels and my pennies, trying to figure out how much gas I can put in my gas tank. I had some notoriety and I'm thinking to myself, why am I doing this? I was accepted into law school and I could have become

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an attorney and make money, so WHY AM I DOING THIS? At that moment, some brother walked up to me and said, “Yo, man, I really like your work! Keep it up! You represent!” And they walked away having no understanding of how important that was for me to hear at that particular moment, because I was ready to throw in the towel, but it made my day knowing that I’ve touched them. So, I sucked it up and said, okay, I’ve got another day in me.” Since Hawthorne has sucked it up and given us another day, we all know that his infamous office hours are…9 to 5! Known more as “Big Red” Davis than his actual name, even after being in the industry of film for a couple of ‘decades’ and hundreds of plays worldwide we wondered how he received that. “I had been doing film for about ten years before that. My first film was with Rudy Ray Moore in a film

called, “Disco Godfather” where I played the bad guy. Then my first union movie was in the Color Purple. I played in Cheers and stuff like that where sometimes they would recognize you. Anyway, I got that role because I was on the road. I had been doing play after play, after play. I’ve done over three hundred plays in my lifetime, but I had just come off the road and I was burnt out and needed a break! Determined not to do anything, Dominic Hoffman called me up and said he was getting ready to do Shakespeare’s Macbeth in a small ninety-nine seat theatre in Hollywood and wanted me to audition and I declined. I’m taking a break right now, but he called me for over a week to just come in. Finally, I agreed to come in and auditioned. Afterwards, he told me that he loved me and really wanted me to do Macbeth but had promised the role to someone else. I told him that I didn’t want to do anything right now and definitely

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not the second lead and I told him no. He called me for about another week asking to just do it for him. Then he threw in the fact that my girlfriend at the time, a great actress, would be in the play. So, I gave in! Well, Robert Townsend had a friend in the play as well, and one night he came to see it and after the show he came backstage and told me that he was getting ready to do this movie and asked if I wanted to be in it. So, that’s how I got that role in The Five Heartbeats by not sitting on my butt waiting for the phone to ring and actually putting in the work! You know, I have five and six-year-old kids come up to me knowing that film because their aunts, uncles and their grandparents watch it all the time and they make them watch it. So, The Heartbeats is just, it's just incredible! It is because of this film, I’m talking to you right now because if I hadn’t done the role, we may not be having this conversation. So, I am fine when I am recognized as Big Red! Recently, all were honored for the documentary, “Making the Five Heartbeats” which was produced by Robert Townsend. After showing in several hundred theaters across the country, they attended a star-studded after party produced by Publicist – Cynthia Busby of Busby Promotions. The entire cast (with the exception of Harry Lennox, Jr. and Leon Robinson), who were away in NY working) were there and they were all honored by receiving plaques and a declaration from Los Angeles’ City Council.

With the pandemic of COVID-19 we wanted to see how or if it has affected his career or just his daily way of life as we have all begun to adjust to this new normal. “You know, it’s funny, because I guess I sometimes look at Black folks and I say, it’s like another day at the office. A lot of Black folks don’t have jobs anyway, and if we get a job, it’s temporary. So, for instance, me, I work every once in a while. However, my girlfriend, Doris works for UNLV School of Dental Medicine, she works all of the time, so it hasn’t affected her income at all. But it has affected her in other ways. But thank God, I’m with this woman now who I really love being around. You know, she’s a great woman, and if we’re stuck in the house together, I like being stuck in here with her! I mean, yes, we have to be careful and I wear my mask all of the time. Even if you want to believe that this is a hoax, I say, it’s better safe than sorry. So what, wear the frigging mask, you know! Well, it’s been great sharing space with you, Mr. Hawthorne James, and at this point, we are going to leave the remainder of your “layers” for you to enjoy as we believe we have peeled enough for our readers to get a glimpse inside of the interesting and intriguing cool brother that you are. Always rewarding, as you never quite know a person until you sit down with them, Hawthorne, we say to you that you have many more days left in you, keep going and do what you do. You are definitely full of surprises and I am hoping that

somewhere down the line those that are considering coming into the industry look to the ‘Old Gs’ for the knowledge that they’ll need to navigate through the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood lights. “Oh, cool. Well, I appreciate that, and I appreciate you taking your time to hang out with me. This has been a joy for me as well. I thank you. But, see that's, the whole thing for me. I don't need people, the general public, to see everything I've gone through. That's a fact. I want them to see the end product on the screen or on the stage, whatever it may be. It's important that these young kids who want to do what I do understand, how I got there. That's why, I went through the fact of saying, you know, what it was like, you would be just discovered and all of a sudden now you’re on screen and you deal with what you're doing. You work your rear off behind the scenes. You get the absolute. You know, with all the knowledge that's in my head, all the experience that I have gained, I don't want it to go six feet under with me.” With that being said, continue on, my friend and we will continue to look for you on the screen and stage.

Facebook: Hawthorne James Instagram: @Hawthorne2995 Twitter: HawthorneJames

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“…I’ve been riding horses since I was two years old. My dad used to take me to the polo grounds every

weekend. I pestered them constantly since I could talk about horses, and funny, they gave in and then it was just all over for them!”

n this article, we were extremely excited to interview our friend, Joan Burton. We met Joan about ten years ago at a polo match held at the San Diego Polo Club in San Diego, CA. Joan is not only a member of the club, but a member of a female polo team! Interestedly, we talked to Joan as we peeked inside of the world of equestrians and polo. As a child, Joan, naturally took to the love of horses, and has been riding since the age of two. Her love for horses would open the door to be ‘adopted’ by a trainer who took her under her wings, and later became one of the best influences in her life. Joan’s trainer not only provided her with a safe haven to keep her out of the usual trouble that youths got into, she’d load them up in her car, take them all to lunch and then teach them how to show horses. Joan began her equestrian shows in hunters and jumpers. In these shows, the Hunters (horses) were judged by their ability to smoothly and effortlessly negotiate between natural obstacles such as fences, hedges, walls, and etc. (the type of things that a horse may encounter while ‘fox-hunting’ and carrying a rider) In this showing, both the rider and the horse must work together flowing from one jump to the next. The Jumpers, on the other hand, is based solely on the horse’s athletic ability to clear all the fences featured in the course as quickly as possible with the minimum of mistakes while carrying a rider. For instance, very technical, the horse can be charged ‘faults’ for any mistakes made during the 12-16 course jumps, such as knocking over the rails during jumps, refusal to jump, or

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going over the maximum amount of time allowed to complete the course. In this show, the fastest time and minimum mistakes win. “I did this for a long time and then took a break for a while, you know, college and so forth. Then I returned to riding with my trainer and I hadn’t ridden throughout those years, and I had a bad accident. I go, “You know what, I’m too old to be jumping horses right now, so I’m going to play polo, that would really be fun!” I had just met the San Diego Polo Club and when I said that my Mom was like, “Are you insane? Like you think THAT’S safer?” Yes, I do. The horses are actually safer at the level that I play. I have a comrade on the field, so I don’t have a horse that I’m TRYING to work with that’s not always on the same plan as I am. So, yes, that was probably the best gift I’ve had in meeting everyone and getting into the world of polo. It’s been an amazing journey. So, polo is where my heart is!”

What is ‘polo’? Polo, often viewed as the sequestered game of the ‘elites’, is an exciting and dynamic team game, ummmm, let’s compare it to a cross between

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golf and hockey played on horseback on a field about the size of nine football fields! Believed to have originated in Persia over 2000 years ago, polo is possibly one of the oldest sports in the world. However, the game as we know it today actually originated in India in the 1800s. Interestingly, it would be the British soldiers who were stationed there and saw the game, who later adapted it for their own uses and often used it as a training for their cavalry riders. Overseen by the Federation of International Polo, the current rules were established, and the game has spread, being played all over the world including the UK, Argentina and the USA. The object of Polo is for a team to score more points than its opponents, therefore winning the game. The teams of four are made up of attackers and defenders, but each player is expected to be flexible and make any play whether its offense or defense and change positions as necessary to benefit their team. Of course, Polo cannot be Polo without the most important element of the game, horses! Known as Polo ponies, these horses are bred specifically for the game. Each player will need to have at least two of them to be switched out during the game. These horses will either belong to the players or to the Polo club and they wear a special saddle that enables the player to be seated securely, control the horse and swing the mallet. “Polo is an open war game with teaching strategies. There are four people on each side, Position 1(attacking offensive player), Position 2 (offensive player who primarily backs up 1), Position 3 (similar to the quarterback and is usually filled with the best player on the team) and Position 4 (the defensive goalie) and the basic thing is to make a goal. Although it has evolved through the British, the Argentines are very well known for it and if we had the Olympic followings, they would probably take the gold each time because they are amazingly talented. There are a lot of rules that make it a bit technical, but the horses are probably eighty to ninety percent of the sport, as they can make or break your game. They are very well-behaved horses and I have even put children on mine. We’re kind of cow-boyish, so it’s not much proper riding. I mean, you do have to know how to ride but with polo form, we don’t have an elegant equitation

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form where you have to be in the saddle very still and everything! We are moving around a lot; we stand most of the time when we are running and hitting the ball! So, it’s a little bit different! Of course, then there is arena polo, which everyone kind of starts at.” “Today there are polo clubs everywhere you go, I was in Jamaica, heading to St. Anne’s, which is the second oldest polo club in the world, and the home of my favorite man, Bob Marley! I thought, wow, what a cool combination of things. I got there and it rained every day and it wasn’t safe to play, but I’ll be back, you can go anywhere in the world and have a safe haven, you have nice people and you have fun and sports you can get in on. It’s just a real family-oriented sport. So that makes it nice.” Ambi’ance Uncut also found that this family-oriented sport has no set season and is held year round in various parts of the world, allowing teams to travel and enter tournaments as far and as wide as they like, playing the sport that they love. Most just do the local circuits and wait until the tournaments come to their areas. Otherwise, they will find themselves changing homes every three to four months playing in different areas, although there are some that enjoy that lifestyle. “It’s a hard thing to do, you know, keep traveling, changing homes every three to four months, you know? Trying to remember your last address. I’m lucky that I live in California, so we’re pretty close to a lot of things. Our club used to play on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays, and other clubs may do theirs differently, you just have to figure out what’s in your area and what will work for you. The clubs are more than happy to help you get on a horse and see if you like it. It’s such a feeling of accomplishment to be able to run your horse, hitting balls!” Ambi’ance talked to Joan about the programs, Workto-Ride in Philadelphia and the Compton Posse in Compton, CA within the polo community, to name a few, have opened the world of polo to inner-city youths. At Ambi’ance as well as other communities, Polo has always been considered the sport of the elite.

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Our cities, inner-city at-risk-youth more than likely have never even heard of the sport. “I mean, no wonder people don’t think that they belong. They think that it’s a Royal thing, or that the people are ‘snotty’. This is far from the truth. A lot of these children never even thought of going to a barn. These children have become the most beautiful of athletes and it has been incredibly good for the kids as it has always been known that equestrian therapy works! We had a young man from a Latin gang in NJ who was extremely angry come to the barns. At first, he wasn’t really accepting of the horses and was pretty much guarded

and the horses gave it back to him. But by the end of the hour, he had taken off his bandana from his favorite rapper and was wiping the horse’s face. And I mean, I saw him, and I cried. I had to go away because earlier he was so broken and within that hour, he had let his guard down. These kids come and they find a place that they feel safe. They receive love and comradery from the horses, and they love it. These kids have kicked the doors of polo down and it’s catching on more and more.” So much so that Ralph Lauren picked these kids and did an amazingly beautiful photoshoot with them. One of these kids, Kareem, who doesn’t play as much, has gone on to college and is now a Financial Analyst, and as a Member for Life,

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now, raises funding for children of every color to enjoy the benefits that he has achieved from the horses and the sport. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone deserves what we all want, love, respect and acceptance. You know just treat me with dignity. Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s circumstances have messed them up, but there are ways of fixing and healing that. With attention, negative tension or positive affirmation has the same effect, reactions. So just the fact that someone took the time to take them away from their environment for a while speaks volume and these animals have a way common to humans. They give you that look, or that nudge, that love or

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whatever. They’re like gentle giants. Either way, it’s an unspoken word and we give in and treat them better than we do with each other.

ing you to various Polo businesses around the world, Joan will also be introducing a Polo greeting card line for the holidays as well as any other occasion.

Today, with the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing and the tournaments at a temporary halt, Joan spends her time developing an electronic directory called Poloto-Go-Go. Joan found that when searching for Polo items, the web instinctively directs you to Ralph Lauren Polo. Her idea for this directory will allow those searching to locate anything Polo, like clothes, boots, equipment, trophies, various Polo clubs, etc., connect-

Finally, we at Ambi’ance Uncut, wish Joan well in her endeavors and we thank her for educating us in the sport of Polo. I am now excited to be in the VIP tent, chatting it up with good food, new friends and enjoying a new sport! If you are in the area, feel free to stop by! “But by the grace of God, there I go! To thine own self be true!”---Joan Burton

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Linda is all about the Business! No Games!

Scott

coordinating and producing beauty pageants and “high fashion” fashion shows, Styling, Creative Director she won’t just stop there. For the last ten years, in South Florida, Linda have produced Fashion and Trunk shows such as Oh What A Night (2007), It’s a Different World (2008), Fabulous & Sexy (2009), and Fashion Under the Stars (2010). In 2011, 1426 hosted Fashion Week, Nov. 9-12, in Fort Lauderdale, FL. heir parents created them, and LS 1426 enhanced their beauty and built up their self - esteem. “We don’t see these young ladies and men as just ‘Models’. We clean them out from the inside to help them see who the real person is hiding, just waiting to come out!”

Linda Scott is the CEO/Founder of LS 1426 a consulting and special events company emphasizing on the ‘PlusSize’ industry. In January 2011, LS 1426 Academy was established to teach the community about the fashion business. Ms. Scott is known for consulting new and upcoming designers and models in the plus-size industry. She also travels around the U.S. empowering and teaching young ladies about the modeling business and enhancing the beauty from within. With her hands in

Linda is a native of Delray Beach, Florida with over 38 years of experience in the fashion industry. She began her career in Houston, Texas as a signature model for designer, Ann Goldman. Ms. Goldman was drawn to Linda’s grace, style, presence and her confidence. In the 1980’s Linda signed on with May/Hills Modeling Agency, Houston. She became a familiar face on television as well as print. She has worked with numerous designers including Tamara of Texas, Jackie’O, Earl Washington, Fashion by Debra, Joyce Simmons, Desiree Fleming- Voluptuous You, B. Justice, Style Thy Way, Sango Ronke Internationals Design, and Agape Goddess Wear of Atlanta, Bramer Leon Couture, Atlanta, Douglas Says New Jersey/New York, Angel Alternative, Miami, LaMaica Fashions, Jamaica and Ashley Stewart’s, just to name a few. Linda Scott has graced the runway with Carlton and Fannie Hamilton

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“Models are not born, they are made”

— Linda Scott

of Vogue Esquire. She has auditioned for Mo’nique’s Fat Chance Pageant and personally assisted Monique’s production director, Harvey Star Washington. Linda has worked with Jade Collins, (Ebony Fashion Fair Commentator and Spokesmodel), Judy Peterson who has performed in Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Class Reunion and Madea Goes to Jail and has worked with Miss Delray Beach USA & Teen USA. The Linda Scott 1426 Inc. organization implements this ideology by holding tea parties and “boot camps” for teens, college-aged women, and adults. The camps give the participants an opportunity to learn about beauty, health, fashion and how to love themselves. Ms. Scott believes, “Many of the problems women have

with self-esteem as well as health issues begin early on. If we can reach girls before self-destructive patterns begin, we will see great success in their adult lives.” Wow! 1426 Fashion Week was held in Miami, FL and it was awesome! The following Designers showed their spring collections: Sarahi House of Fashion, Angel Myers Design, Edward Dillard, of Edward Dillard Evening Wear, Alton King Beach Bling Swimwear, Pheline Designs, CA, Wendy Striggles, Big Girlz, Inc., Franovik Designs, Vega/Perz, and Richard Petit of Papillon Designs just to name a few. In 2013, LS 1426 relocated to Houston, Texas and never looked back! The second week in November, LS 1426 presents 1426 Fashion Week which brings fashion designers and models from all over the world to Houston, Texas. Lights, Camara, Action! Ms. Scott holds a Meet and Greet Model Workshop before every event. 1426 Curves on the Rocks Calendar was re-established in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and features it’s beautiful, classy, talented, confident and curvy young ladies. You don’t want to miss out on this project!

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Sultry, sensationally soulful, with class and style, Smooth Jazz artist, Jacnique Nina, is back on the scene with soulful ballads and electrifying, emotionally charged songs of empowerment. Jacnique also continues to receive award after award. Ambi’ance Uncut sat down with this beauty for a glass of wine and some easy conversation.

Jacnique Nina, pronounced (Janeek Ne na) was born and raised in San Francisco, CA and has been in Los Angeles now for a little over eleven years working on her music. She was just recently nominated for six 2020 Los Angeles Black Music Awards, “Best R&B Performer Female ”, “ Best Original Song ” for her song, “ So Says The Fool ”, “ Best Live Performer Female ”, “ Best Neo Soul Artist ”, “ Best Jazz Performer Female ”, and “ Los Angeles Black Music Awards Entertainer of The Year ”. This year she was also named the 2020 Akademia Music

“As much as evil tries to infiltrate our world, love will always prevail. God will always prevail.” —Jacnique Nina Award Winner of the “ Artist Vision Award ”, a special honor bestowed upon artists of exceptional talent, originality and vision in the field of music. She also won the 2020 Akademia Music Award for “ Best Jazz Song ” for her single, “ So Says the Fool ”, as well as the very prestigious “ Executive Award ” to add to a full list of awards during her career.

“I started singing just because I love to sing. When I was a child, my heroes were Diana Ross and Cher and I always felt like, wow, that is exactly what I want to be! However, I had no one around me that was doing that and no idea how to get into the business. So, it became like a little ‘secret dream’ of mine for the longest, until I was in high school. It was then that I met music producer Kenny M and

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he recorded some demos on me, and that is how I got started. As we talked, we mentioned one of Ambi’ance Uncut ’s favorite singles, “He’s A Keeper” and found that Jacnique and Preston Glass wrote it with Preston producing it. “I am so happy to hear that you guys love that song! Most of the songs on my “Wish of The Heart” album were written by me and Preston Glass who also produced the music. My Music Director, Rob Mullins, also contributed to that song. He is a phenomenal pianist, composer, producer, and arranger. It was just a blessing because we all contributed something special to that song and it always gets such a great reaction. So that’s awesome! I love it! While chatting, it became evident that Jacnique has been in the music industry for a while as we perused her catalog of albums and singles. “Yes, I have just been doing my thing! Mostly in Los Angeles. I started around 2007 in my hometown of San Francisco and eventually started my own label. The reason I did that is because I had a lot of trouble trying to get projects completed. Being a very beautiful woman, it was always difficult dealing with men in the business. After a at certain point, they wanted more than just business and I just wasn’t having it, ever. So, it just kept me starting and stopping, starting and stopping, starting and stopping projects without ever being able to complete them. With this issue

always coming up, I just said, ‘You know what, I’m not doing this anymore. I will just take it into my own hands and start my own label, making me the boss and calling all the shots!’ So, in 2007, I started my label SirenFire Music Works and I later started my music publishing company, SirenFire Music Publishing.

I wanted to make an album that would literally bring more love into the world through it’s message in the songs

I played in a lot of those shows. Any showcase I could get into, I was going...whether it was happening in Hollywood, the Rock venues, Inglewood, Leimert Park, Pasadena or wherever...there I was, singing some Neo Soul (laughing)! Doing the poetry spots, coffee shops, little showcases and anything else in-between was really a direction from God! Like, once I made that album, I just kept hearing God say, ‘You go out and you sing. Sing wherever you can sing, just go and sing!’ So, I just followed that, and I did it for like a good three to five years. We even had our daughter in between that time, and I still performed, while I was pregnant. After she was born, we took her everywhere with us just like the ‘Family Love’ out on the road all the time, singing, performing and sharing our music with people. We were really inspiring a lot of folks because we were married, we had this beautiful baby and Ricardo was a phenomenal guitarist. People loved my vibe and my voice. It was just a magical experience!

I was still living in San Francisco at that time and had been blessed to marry an amazing man who was an awesome music producer and guitarist, Ricardo Love, who later produced my first album, ‘Trial by Fire’. We then moved to Los Angeles to really pursue music. Once we were in Los Angeles, we performed at a lot of poetry spots. The poetry spots were the coolest things happening at the time, and singers came there to perform and showcase their new songs.

We continued to talk about love, relationships, marriage, children, heartaches and so forth before bringing the conversation back to music. Jacnique Nina enjoys covering the classic soulful hits of songstresses, Anita Baker, Sade, Minnie Riperton, Deniece Williams as well as artists such as Bobby Caldwell and Jill Scott, to name a few. Her stage presence of class and style are reminiscent of the sultry Phyllis Hyman and the aforementioned ladies as she is donning the stage

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with her multiple octave range. We asked about her success with her lyric writing and found that she continues to pen a lot of her songs. “I’m still writing my lyrics. I did the first album called, ‘Trial by Fire’ and it won many awards, including The Los Angeles Music Award for ‘Producer’s Choice, Jazz Album of the Year’ in 2011. The Producer’s Choice Award had previously been won by amazing artists in other genres: No Doubt, The Black Eyed Peas, System of A Down and Sugar Ray. When I won that award, it really made me get a lot of attention very fast, and subsequently, I entered other awards. I also won two 2011 Los Angeles Black Music Awards, “Best Neo Soul Artist”, and “Best Urban Soul Artist”. In 2012, I was nominated for the Hollywood Music In Media Award for “Best Jazz Song” for my song, “Rise in Love”. I later won the Hollywood Music In Media Award in 2015 for my song “Sunrise”. I am extremely grateful for all of the awards I have won for my music. It has really been a super tremendous blessing to me. Every time I win one, I’m just floored and I say, wow, God, you did it again for me, thank you so much! My real goal is to win five Grammys in my lifetime. So, when I win these awards, I feel that it’s leading me to that as well. It’s really wonderful and inspiring for me.

As Jacnique talked about her accomplishments, we thought about the beginning of our conversation when Jacnique stated that she had secretly dreamed of being a singer like her idols, Diana Ross and Cher.

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Now, she has been on this journey with awards and accolades doing the things that she loves, singing and writing. We wondered how she felt about all of this, people singing her songs, booking her to showcases at various venues, living her dream. “It’s unbelievably wonderful! I mean, I’ve worked so hard and I’m always so focused on my craft & marketing and doing all of this. When you’re grinding all the time and you don’t really get a chance to look up...It is so fantastic to receive an email that you’ve been nominated, or you’ve won. It just makes me cry! I’m like, WOW! It just stops me in my tracks and I say, “Lord, thank you, I know this is working”! We understand that you are working on a new project with Preston Glass. Tell us about that? “Yes. I have set up a GoFundMe for this wonderful new project I am working on with Preston Glass. This project is entitled, “Love Speaks”. Preston also produced my album, “Wish of the Heart”, which was released and garnered international acclaim. In addition, it charted on several well-respected independent music charts here in the U.S and in Europe. That was a huge blessing, so we decided to do another album together. With this one, we talked about song titles and what I was feeling...what inspired me for this album. This was before the pandemic hit, maybe a little over a year ago. So, we started crafting the concept for this album and I was really feeling like love was getting lost in

the world. People are just starting to be colder towards each other, you know. There’s a great deal of division, unjust things going on and hatred. These things do not coincide with love and being kind and nurturing towards one another and having compassion. It was really disturbing to me as a person because I am a very loving and kind person, you know, just mellow and I never really have a problem with anyone. I don’t spark that kind of emotion in people and I definitely don’t incite it. Anyway, I told Preston that I wanted to make an album that would literally bring more love into the world through it’s message in the songs. I wanted them to be various messages of love, different types of love, and I wanted it to be inspiring and promoting love. So, the album’s title is “Love Speaks”, and we have already recorded a few songs for this album. I also have some really big surprises that I can’t talk about yet regarding guest artists and one song in particular that is really special to me that I covered, and of course, I can’t talk about that either. (laughing) But it’s going to be absolutely amazing and that song alone may be the most important song. The album thus far has a message of love and bringing love back into the consciousness of humans and bringing love back into the world in a big way. I know that there’s a lot of other artists doing the same thing that I am, and I’m praying that collectively these messages of love through music really help to change the entire world atmosphere to one of love and compassion rather than what we’re seeing now. The

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GoFundMe is helping to complete the production of this album and for the marketing campaign. This project is already in motion, but there are a lot more monetary contributions required just to get the album fully produced, mixed and mastered. There is also the expense of radio campaigns for several songs on the album. So, this GoFundMe is to breathe life into this project, to bring it forth and to really get it out into the world in a big way! Ambi’ance is a firm believer that when you are working in your destiny, the way will be there. So, we don’t see your album not coming to fruition. The fact that you stepped out on your own, developed your own label, earning yourself award after award, while making these moves under His guidance and direction, speaks volumes of your faith, your passion and resilience, and again, we support and believe in you! While speaking her future into the atmosphere, we learned that not only does Jacnique have the project, ‘Love Speaks’ in the works, but she has been in the studio working on other songs as well! “I have several singles coming out. One really electrifying single just came out on August 27th, called, ‘Quiet Danger’, featuring the beautiful jazz singer, Talita Long. This single speaks about what’s going on in the world today and recognizing that all of this division and hatred really is a ‘Quiet Danger’ to our world and if we are not careful, and we don’t pay attention and do something about it (like

speak up and vote), we will all be destroyed. That is the powerful message in that song. I also have a cover of Bobby Caldwell’s, ‘What You Won’t Do for Love’ which came out on October 15th and a contemporary Christian song called, ‘Chains’ which has been getting a lot of reaction around the world. I am really blessed by that because I am a Christian and I love the Lord. That song in particular is about breaking the chains of things that are burdening you, holding you down and holding you back...taking up too much space in your mind, soul and heart. We need God to heal those situations. My song, “Chains”, is kind of a chant and the chant is so powerful. People that hear it and are going through something...I believe that they can immediately connect with the message in this song because it is very empowering, and I meant for it to have that effect. I wrote this while I was going through something and it blessed me in so many ways, so I know it will be a blessing to others. It was produced by my ex-husband, Ricardo Love, and ‘Quiet Danger’ and “What You Won’t Do for Love” was produced by Preston Glass. I also have another single coming out in November, entitled “Go”. It was produced by Ricardo Love. It’s a different vibe for me because it’s a little more of a pop vibe, but it’s also kind of a singer/songwriter. All of these songs can be heard on my website, www.jacniqueninamusic. com as well as on my www.soundcloud.com/jacniquenina Amazon Music, iTunes, Apple Music, Deezer, YouTube Music, 7digital, 8tracks,

Akazoo, Anghami, AWA, Deezer, Spotify, Tidal, iHeartRadio, Pandora and most of the digital music platforms where you will also find my music as well. Ambi’ance Uncut: Well, our glasses are now empty, and it has truly been an honor and a pleasure sharing space and great conversation with you! Thank you, Jacnique, we love you and your music and are looking forward to celebrating with you as you achieve those Grammys! Jacnique Nina: I love you guys too! It's been an honor for me as well, because Ambi’ance and Jonathan were one of the first publications to interview me, and I am so grateful that the chance has come up again for me to be interviewed now by Ambi’ance Uncut! I really love the publication and I'm so proud to be a part of this! Thank you so much!!

Please check out Jacnique Nina and follow her on all her platforms: Facebook: facebook.com/JacniqueNinaMusic Twitter: twitter.com/JacniqueNina Instagram: instagram.com/JacniqueNina YouTube: tinyurl.com/JacniqueNinaYoutube LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacniquenina ReverbNation: reverbnation.com/jacniquenina

Behind the Camera with Actor

Christopher Dukes AU: How did you get started in the entertainment business? CD: I answered an ad in our local newspaper when I was a sophomore in high school. It ended up being a search for talent from a local agent and I booked my first commercial at the age of fifteen. AU: When did you feel like this would be your career path? CD: I majored in theatre in college and knew that entertainment would be my future. I graduated and moved to Los Angeles two months later. 44 AU: What has been your biggest role to date?

CD: I played the role of "Worthington" on the series Pump. It was a recurring character on a show about the crazy shenanigans that go on at a local gym. AU: Tell me more about that particular production and where it was shot? CD: Pump was shot on location at a gym in the San Fernando Valley. It was still open to the public, so production had to balance shooting with meeting the needs of actual gym members. The production was amazing and one of the more memorable experiences of my career. AU: What inspires you to keep going in an extremely competitive business?

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CD: As I have gotten older and been through the ups and downs of the business, I’ve realized that perseverance is key. I do thrive on competition, but the ability and wherewithal to keep your head straight, stay positive and realize that this is a lifelong dream is most important. AU: What person (or people) made an impact on you in your career? CD: I have to give the most thanks to my mom and my wife. My mother early on encouraged me to pursue this goal. She told me I was a young Tom Hanks. The first time I met him, I let him know my mom said that. She made sure I moved to Los Angeles and stayed on course. I got married in 2003, and my wife has been my biggest supporter since then. As roles have come and gone, she has encouraged me to take chances and get outside of my comfort zone. AU: What do you enjoy most when you are not working in front of the camera? CD: I enjoy being a dad the most. I have two children who keep me very busy. I love encouraging my daughter’s artwork and my seeing my son progress through his belts in karate. AU: What do you have coming up next? CD: I just completed a short called "A Slice of Life", it will be coming out in late 2020 or early 2021. It’s a suspense thriller about a late-night audition that is not what it seems. AU: What advice do you have for someone who is just starting out in the industry? CD: You should surround yourself with a good group of people. Network and make friends in the industry. Almost all of my jobs have come from someone I knew or a referral from someone I’ve worked with. As they say in Hollywood, it’s all about who you know!

Christopher Dukes www.imdbme.com/christophermdukes

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Guadalupae D’Lushus

Brazilian Funkay

“I don’t want to be stuck in one bag! I want to be international, sharing all of my flavors and claiming all of my roots, not just the Black, Latin or Portuguese, because I am all of that. I don’t want to be singled out into one ethnic group. That irritates the hell out of me! When I hit the stage, I bring them all. I’ve learned from the masters how to put on a live show and make it last in people’s mind and share my energy.” -Guadalupae D’Lushus

lavor and energy? Most definitely! That is Brazilian born diva, Guadalupae D’ Lushus. She has traveled the world and has been trained by and performed with the best of the best! Her resume is as extensive as it is impressive and her laugh is full and ever present, yet she is immediately humbled and appreciative when

she pays homage to all of the legendary icons that have paved her way and Ambi’ance Magazine was there to walk down memory lane with this remarkable woman!

and Puerto Rican heritage from Sao Paulo, Brazil. My adopted mother; the legendary Ms. Linda Hopkins; is from New Orleans.

Ambi’ance: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Ambi’ance: When did you begin dancing? I am sure with a Brazilian heritage dancing comes natural.

Guadalupae: I am of Brazilian

Guadalupae: Yes, we learned to

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dance as children. The Samba is a cultural dance and we were taught as little children that we represent our country with this dance. All of the schools teach the children Samba and culture as part of their curriculum. When I came to the states, dancing was natural. When I was in Brazil I saw Tina Turner and she quickly became my idol. I fell in love with her and I wanted to be just like her! (Laughter) Ambi’ance: And what an iconic idol! We all loved her then and of course now...my favorite dance song was ‘Proud Mary’...you started out slow rocking and after that pause in the song, “...rolling on the river...” and that beat changed, you let it all loose, hair swinging and everything! (Laughter) Loved it! When did you come to the states and how did you begin dancing here? Guadalupae: My husband was in the military and brought me here at an early age. People thought I was very extraordinary looking at the time. You know, brown lady with big eyes and sounding like Zsa Zsa Gabor to them. (Laughter) They would ask me if I could sing. I could barely speak English, let alone sing, but I could dance! They were always putting pretty girls on shows, you know, Edwin Starr and others and I would always get drafted! Dancing was something I could do in my sleep. Ambi’ance: I read that you danced and toured with James Brown and a lot of your homage is paid to him. Tell me about that.

Guadalupae: My longest and biggest break came with James. He took me all over the world. Ambi’ance: How did you meet him? Guadalupae: I met him while walking down the street on my way to audition for the Miss Black America contest. I had my portfolio with me crossing in front of what used to be the Ed Sullivan Building (now the David Letterman Building). James was across the street with a couple of his henchmen and he looked at me, wet his lips and said, “Heh, Ha, Heh, Heeeey” (in her James Brown imitation) and that’s how I got the job! (Laughter) Ambi’ance: (Laughter) And the rest is history! Guadalupae: I had hair down to my 19” waist then, so I was Beyoncé before Beyoncé you could say. (Laughter) I was then told that James wanted me to dance for him and I didn’t believe it. I was immediately taken to his office where I was signed and the next morning we were training downstairs at the Apollo Theater with different ones preparing us to go on the road. Now that is all she wrote! (Laughter) Ambi’ance: You know that was a risky chance you took back then, especially for a young lady fairly new to a country where you barely spoke the language. Guadalupae: Yes, I was very

young and barely spoke English, but there were the Freda Paynes, The Whispers, Funkadelics, and George Clinton and Parliaments and many others, all looking out for me and protecting me from the entertainment snakes. I was the youngest one out there, so they became my big brothers and sisters. I always felt safe with them and I learned from them. I behaved and I listened. I was very teachable and was always in the right place at the right time. Ambi’ance: You have a very impressive resume. Guadalupae: Thank you! I was taught by the best, Sweetie. I’ve seen the best and we were around the best. As difficult as James was, you learned a lot. You either accepted it or walked around with the biggest chip on your shoulder. But when you traveled with him, you traveled in style. He had his own plane, his own bus and you stayed in the best of places. You were paid generously; I was the highest paid dancer at that time. We were highly visible. There were many many artists that opened for James, The Chi-Lites, Manhattans, The Stylistics, The Dramatics, all of them were on shows with us at the Apollo and I was in the company of them all. There was always a revue and James was the superstar, which meant that you met all of these people along the way; making it really nice! We worked some of the biggest and baddest places there were! There weren’t twenty

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and thirty dancers like some of the acts today; we had to WORK, Honey! If you were late, you were fined. If James gave you the ‘evil eye’ you were fined. When he walked on that stage and said, “Hit me!” you knew what time it was! You gave what was expected and you were proud doing it! You felt regal and you felt like you were with a king! I learned very good work ethics from him and I use them to this day.

years and did some things with him there as well.

Ambi’ance: Now how did you go from dancing and touring with James Brown to being a ‘ring girl’ for Muhammad Ali?

Guadalupae: Yeah and I have shortened the list a bit. (Laughing) I have been truly blessed mainly because I was with James. He opened doors for me many many times and in many many ways.

Guadalupae: I’ve had a few boyfriends during my time! (Laughter) I had that banging body and again, I was in the right place at the right time. Muhammad was a connoisseur of beautiful women. He, James and Sammy Davis were all good friends. Muhammad would box and train to “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud”. We came into contact because he would come to James’ shows and eventually he would be like, “Hey, where’s that big legged dancer at?” The rest you can read in the book! (Laughter) Ambi’ance: Marvin Gaye, another icon.

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Guadalupae: Yes, I was blessed to train with him in Detroit. Everyone was using dancers in their shows then. When he came back out here to California, we trained to go on the road. I saw him again in Belgium when I lived in Europe for 91/2

Ambi’ance: The list goes on and on. You have definitely had a blessed career, having been in the presence of so many of these legendary icons. I also see that you have had parts in various movies, Coming to America, The Blues Brothers, The Five Heartbeats, Cotton Club, Spiderman and again the list goes on.

Ambi’ance: Guadalupae, even though Mr. Brown opened these doors, it was YOU that ‘kept’ them opened. Guadalupae: That’s funny because there was a time when I thought they would close. That was when James went to jail. My first thought was, “What am I going to do?” Then someone said to me, “If you weren’t good, you never would have been dancing with James in the first place and definitely not for this long.” That is when it clicked and I decided to go to Europe for a few months and ended up staying for over nine years. While I was there I did a little bit of everything. I had been to Europe over the years, but always while I was working. I decided this time I wanted to take it all in; the European experience; I wanted to smell it, taste it and feel

it. I did some plus-sized modeling; I had a #1 disco hit, “Pump That Body” and was featured on other artist’s albums. I did some musical productions, Bubbling Brown Sugar, Josephine Baker and The Motown Story, with a company in Amsterdam named, Stardust Productions, which afforded me the opportunity to go to Germany, Portugal, Spain, Israel, and Morocco to name a few. I opened for various performers like, Frank Sinatra, Prince and in Rotterdam for Luther Vandross! Being in Europe I found out who I was. Europe was truly good to me! It help to shape me into who I am because I was willing to go, willing to see and willing to learn! Ambi’ance: And here we are in 2020 and Guadalupae is still going strong! It is a testament to who you are. Guadalupae: Yep, Mama’s still putting it down! (Laughter) Ambi’ance: Let me ask, with traveling and dancing all around the world, when and what made you decide to go back to your native dance? Guadalupae: When I returned from Europe I saw that we had a Latin explosion in the States. You see, I had always tried to fit in the ‘soul world’. ‘Soul’ was all I knew! But the Latin explosion with Ricky Martin was happening! Everything was Latin, Latin, and Latin! I had always gone by the name, “Lushus” and only a very few knew my name was ‘Guadalupae’. Anyway, Ricky said he had been to Brazil and I

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cent is as strong as if you just arrived! (Laughter) Guadalupae: (Laughter) Yeah, I still get down with my Latin homies and I get down with the sistahs, too! I speak seven different languages, as well as the slangs that go along with the territory that gets me to where I need to be! (Laughter) Ambi’ance: I have always loved the Brazilian parades; they are so full of color! The dancers and the outfits are beautiful. I also noticed that the headpieces and themes carry tons of feathers. Is there significance to that?

started thinking that it’s time for me to ‘claim’ my roots! I put a group together (seven girls and a seven piece band) called Brazilian Girls. I went home, saw my grandmother, made some headpieces and took in my country. That was in 2000. We contracted to MGM in Las Vegas and then 9/11 hit! That was a little devastating for us because no one was

traveling and I didn’t know where to book the group, so we did some local traveling...Long Beach, Hollywood and so forth. Later we came back and did the stage shows. It has been word-of-mouth that has been getting me lots and lots of work! Ambi’ance: You’ve been in the states for many years and your ac-

Guadalupae: Yes. Brazil has the highest concentration of the most beautiful and exotic birds in the world. The outfits represent their beauty and the beauty of the people of Brazil. Brazilians are a mixture of numerous ethnicities. We are a mixture of Portuguese, African, over 800 races of Indians, Japanese and a high concentration of German. As you see, we are a colorful culture and the beauty of these mixtures is that you cannot separate the ethnicities to the point that we are all just considered and called, Brazilians, so we celebrate and honor that with the beautiful colors in our traditional Samba costumes. Ambi’ance: I think they are beautiful and very sexy. The headpieces are awesome and the outfits, not sure of their proper name... Guadalupae: Bikinis? (Laughter)

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Ambi’ance: (Laughter)...and here I am trying to give ‘bikini’ a ‘proper’ name! Guadalupae: (Laughter) Yes, they represent the ambience of the woman. We are not inhibited as other countries; which allows us to be very comfortable with our bodies, very representative of the beauty of our culture. Ambi’ance: What’s on the horizon for you? You mentioned a book? Guadalupae: Yes, I have a zillion boxes of pictures from all over the world and of wonderful, wonderful entertainers that have touched my life. It is not a tell all book, but a homage to how they have touched my life as well as how we met. I feel they are so worthy of that. Teena Marie, Donna Summers, James Brown, Luther Vandross, Muhammad Ali and the list go on. I have also written a song called, “Brazilian Funkay” and with the Olympics being held in my home country, wouldn’t it be nice if it was used? Wow! (Laughter)

Ambi’ance: I am thinking of our total conversation, your humble beginnings, the devastating loss of your parents as a teen, the untimely death of your husband as well as other personal things that we’ve discussed. These things you have experienced at such a very very young age, being in a foreign country, barely speaking the language and then going on to accomplish such an illustrious career! Would you have ever imagined your resume’ being so rich?

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Guadalupae: It has been my blessings, Mami! I never even thought about it or getting older or heavier. (Laughter) I never had anyone to teach me or prepare me for any of these things. All I have ever known after those life-altering events was show business, show business, show business! Now I teach life lessons to those that come in under me! Ambi’ance: It’s a testament to the character of your personality, your strength, your courage and your determination! You have shown that even in darkness, there is light if you believe in yourself and accept your destiny. You have been there and definitely have the credits to back it up! So those now coming into the business will have the honor of learning from the best, YOU! Lately, I have reflected with friends and family on the type of legacies we would like to leave, what is yours? Guadalupae: That you can be a nice person, that you can care. I want to leave a song here, doesn’t have to be a lot of songs, but that would be nice, too! (Laughter) But I want to leave a song that when people hear it, they say, “Hey, that’s Lushus, she brought a lot of colorful fun, energy and laughter to everything she did!” You know, I wrote a song called, “Come and Share My Energy” as well as “Shake Your Ass for As Long As You Can Last” and that’s what I plan to do! Ambi’ance: (Laughter) Well I’ll be shaking it with you because I need to ‘Samba’ some of these pounds

off! (Laughter) It’s been an Ambi’ance pleasure and I am looking forward to catching one of your shows, sharing the energy! Guadalupae: Oh yes, I would love it if you would! Make sure you put my number in your phone this time! (Laughter) Ambi’ance: (Laughter) Yes Ma’am, as we speak! You are on our radar as I am sure we are on yours and we wish you nothing less than continued success! Guadalupae D’Lushus is a true testament to the meaning of the words universal and international. Her rich DNA is a mixture of ALL of Brazil’s ethnicities. Her energy, warm spirit and ever-present laughter is contagious. She enjoys life with no regrets, welcoming you to live these experiences with her. She’s a dancing diva, bringing total perfection and energy to her craft. By no means is she ready to take a seat, she will be shaking what her heritage gave her for as long as she can last and Ambi’ance Magazine will be there sharing the energy of her legacy!

Please check out Jacnique Nina and follow her on all her platforms: Facebook: brzlsoulsistah@yahoo.com Web: www.Samba-Mama.com

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“Believe in your dreams and keep God first. With faith all things are possible. Develop accountable relationships and make them grow. You’ll be amazed of where God will take you” —James Womack, Jr.

magine taking what you do naturally and making it a successful lifestyle of excitement and luxury while hanging out with the prestige list of Who’s Who? Well, this man is doing exactly that! Recently, Ambi’ance Uncut literally, “caught up” with longtime friend, James Womack at The Foundational Black American Conference in Atlanta. Even then, you had the experience of being in his presence where everyone wanted a piece

of his time, and we were glad that he shared a part of it with us. To watch this man in action is enough to make you want to remove all the coffee pots! Consciously aware of each person in his presence trying to speak to him, James made his rounds to talk to all without making any feel slighted in the least.

Having been around music growing up, he played the clarinet, saxophone, oboe and the bassoon. With various instrument lessons, this would be to keep him out of trouble. As he got older, his father encouraged him to find a career that would sustain him, keeping him off the streets and allow him to be successful. His father being a minister, Just what makes him so popular? he was called upon for funerals Born in Newark, NJ, James is the which he performed at one of the son of a Pentecostal preacher. biggest funeral homes in New-

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ark. This peaked James’ interest and he started working there. He eventually went to school where he studied Forensic Medicine and worked under the Medical Examiner and performed autopsies. Yes, autopsies! For twenty years this is what he did. He also worked at the funeral home and tried embalming, but he found that he wanted more and found his passion in working with the family offering comfort and support. In 1999, James decided that he would leave all of this and try something different! He was friends with a guy named, Chris Herbert who was a singer/songwriter and the brother of music mogul, Vincent Herbert, who manages Lady Gaga, in the production and management aspect of the music industry. Chris had built a studio in his home and he said, “Hey Womack, listen, if you want to know how the music world works, come by the studio every day and we’ll teach you.” “I kind of went to school in that basement. I was learning raw! I learned how to find talent, put the beats together for a song and writing. I was there every day like clockwork and after three months I understood how this world worked.” (Later, James would go on to be mentored by Vincent Herbert, further securing his standing in the music industry.)

James’ first connection to the music industry led him to connect with Lauryn Hill, the Grammy award-winning hip-hop record-

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ing artist and lead singer of The Fugees. It was during the time of her ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ album that Lauryn Hill encouraged him to go into the music industry and start a management company. He would soon find a young lady singing on the subway. Sixteen, and a seven-octave range, James asked her mother what she was going to do with her. “Her mother stated that she didn’t know because she didn't know anyone in the industry. At this time, Vincent Herbert was in town visiting his family. I told her that I knew a very wellknown producer and he just happened to be in town. I asked her to bring her daughter to Jersey so that she could meet him. Along with her parents she came to Jersey that Saturday and she sang for Vincent and blew him away! He said, “You know that BabyFace and Andre Harrell are starting up a new label, Nu America Records, and I’d like to take her to NY while Andre is in town and have her sing for him.” Two days later, we took her and her parents to NY where she sang for Andre. He loved her and immediately got on the phone with BabyFace and told him that he had just heard this sixteen-year old Jewish girl with a seven-octave range and he wanted to sign her to the label. They had just signed Robin Thicke and BabyFace said that he would be in Manhattan to shoot Robin’s video in three weeks and would like to meet her. So, in three weeks everyone went to NY and sat on the tour bus with

BabyFace while she sang a few bars. Make a long story short, I was staying at the Grafton Hotel on Sunset Blvd having signed my first client with Andre Harrell and BabyFace!” After which, James began networking with Kenneth (Babyface) Edmonds and Andre Harrell. In his capacity as manager, he signed recording artists such as Carly Blair and Joanna Levesque (JoJo) and toured with artists such as Chico DeBarge as tour manager. Highly connected in the industry, James’ understanding of the inner workings of the industry is invaluable. With a sensational client, and everyone either wanting to write for her or record with her, James began meeting the top music producers and writers in the industry, building not only relationships, but lifelong friendships. “I learned that in this business it is really who you know and nothing to do with anything else.” Having the natural gift of networking, James was in his element. “I’ve always been a networker. At the age of twenty, I was importing cars from Germany and Belgium. We traveled all over the world and I brought my first Rolls Royce at the age of twenty-four. I’ve truly been blessed and have had a successful life with the greatest parents in the world.!” Unfortunately, after nine songs recorded, BabyFace would call and inform James that although his artist was amazing, she was

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a minor and her mother was the worst stage mother that they ever encountered and would be releasing her from her contract! “Her parents already had money with her father being an oral surgeon, so they were fine with returning to NY. Me being the guy that i am and never believing in failure, and couldn’t go back to Jersey without success and having everyone saying, “Womack, what happened to you?” So, I stayed. About two weeks later, I saw a commercial advertising a new show called, ‘America’s Most Talented Kids’ on NBC and knew I had to get there. I had a driver at that time who used to drive me every day to my meetings and so forth. He was a realtor and sold million-dollar properties and we called him “Pops”. Sadly, he passed away recently. Pops was familiar with the industry and after hearing that I was in the industry as well, he offered to be my driver and would go with me to meetings just to be in the presence. Pops drove me around for ten years and introduced me to Smokey Robinson and other heavy hitters. When people saw me, they saw Pops! Anyway, Pops drove me to the show and there was a long line waiting to get in and a sister was at the door. I went up to her and told her that I HAD to get in. She asked me my name and then asked what made me any different than the people who had been waiting in line? I gave her a fifty-dollar bill and she told me to find a seat. On my way in, the Executive Producer of the show stepped on my feet,

and I ended up sitting right next to her and we have been friends ever since! Once I meet you, I’m always in your life. You can’t get rid of me! It’s just the way it is!” (laughing) Joanna Levesque (JoJo) would become his next client catapulting him further into the industry, After appearing on the show, James talked to her mother and introduced her to Vincent Herbert. James became her manager and Vincent, under Da Family Entertainment became the Executive. Producer of her album. ‘JoJo’ became a child sensation, collaborating with numerous artists and eventually went on the summer European tour with R&B superstar Usher. “Later, I was at a party given by Rick James after he had returned home from jail and he asked me what my name was. I told him and he asked me if I knew Bobby Womack. Of course, I KNEW him, anyway Rick called Bobby and told him that he wanted him to meet me because we both had big heads and could possibly be related. Bobby came over and we met and soon found out that we were cousins. He then took me and introduced me to Dr. Dre, Snoop and a bunch of other people and told them that I was family and to take care of me! So, that’s been kind of how my life has been!” (laughing) Today James manages Melanie Holt from Love and Marriage, Huntsville. He is still a music

manager and a ‘People Connector’. “I returned back to Jersey and met with my mentor, Clarence Avon. I asked him for his blessings, and he told me that I was fine and didn’t need his blessings. He then told me that people love me and to go out and connect. So that’s what I do. As long as I can make money, I position myself in the deal. You never know, it could be a multi-million-dollar connection you just put together through your introduction. So, that’s what I do. I charge a retainer and I connect people!” That he does. As I waited for my turn to interview him, he had already introduced me to other people that he felt needed to be interviewed. Now instead of one interview, I left with four. As I was preparing to leave, I saw him in the distance surrounded by people. He had gone to his room and changed clothes and now, back in his element, the ‘Pied Piper’ was leading them out on the town! “The favor of God is worth way more than money as He will place you where He wants you to go”-James Womack

Please check out James Womack and follow him on all his platforms: Facebook: facebook.com/James Womack Instagram: @mrjameswomack www.jameswomack musicmanagement.com

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“In this day and age, you truly must embrace what makes you happy, and I think that phys-

ical activity is so underrated. It always was, but right now, physical activity doesn’t mean you have to lift weights and sweat until you pass out. I’m talking about cycling or walking

around your block coupled with doing what you truly love is going to get us through this time. Socialize with those that you love either by phone or meeting up outside, just anything

that keeps you happy. My favorite quote from the iconic Beatles is ‘Life is very short and there was no time for fussing and fighting.’”

mbi’ance Uncut stopped by to see how their longtime friend, Connie Romero was doing these days. Connie, who several years ago started a variety show in Philadelphia called, Connie’s Catch which was featured on a Philadelphia access station, showcased ordinary but interesting people in Philadelphia. “I started this

show in Philadelphia because I had done a little acting about twelve or thirteen years ago and a lot of my independent films were in and around Philadelphia, PA. So, it became clear to me that there are a lot of interesting people in Philly. I then figured since I was being taken there quite a bit on the weekends, I would find people, places and things to interview/showcase. At that time,

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Philadelphia had a channel called ‘Philly Cam’ which was a community media center that brought the people of Philadelphia together to make and share media that promote creative expression, so I started doing a show. I interviewed and spotlighted everything from a renowned candy maker to a health and wellness event, and once, to try and spur viewership, I walked the streets in an Uncle Sam costume asking people, “What does the 4th of July mean to you” as well as, what they would want to see on my show. So, I did that for probably about four years.” Being a creator and producer, Connie had to rely on camera people and the people behind the scenes. The problem with dealing with any radio station or public access is if you come on board and they give you a time slot, you have to commit to at least a show a month. So, it became very difficult to turn around the shows in less than two and a half weeks. Eventually, Connie disbanded that and regrouped in Delaware where she attended a fashion show conducting impromptu interviews with models and, etc. It would be there that she met our CEO/Founder, Jonathan Fields who admired her style of interviewing enough to invite her to join him at events on both the east and west coasts. Soon afterwards, Connie did Connie’s Catch several times on the west coast as well assisted Jonathan emcee a couple of events and charities. After doing this for a few years, Connie decided to reinvent herself. She asked herself what people would want in her services. What assistance could she be to businesses and events keeping under the Connie’s Catch umbrella. “I became a certified COVID Compliance Officer where I would go over the new normal of a particular business. I am able to provide them with a video to present to their potential clients letting them know what to expect when they walk into their establishments. I recently was on a commercial set in NYC for Hobby Lobby, showing them some of the safety procedures under my COVID compliance certification.” While doing this, Connie was approached by several people observing her gift of showing interest when speaking to others. So much so, that she decided to re-start Connie’s Catch. This time with a new approach. With the

“new normal” way of living in the pandemic, people were experiencing new things like illnesses, and fear while trying to figure out how to go about their dayto-day business and with her COVID compliance certification she could present her company and do her show in a way that can help other companies display their new normal. A woman of her craft, Connie makes it all sound so easy! She has been able to walk away from a job and not only reinvent herself and build a brand, but she believed in herself and in her natural ability to connect with people. So, how did she do it? “….when I first started out, I was truly at the mercy of the directors. I was always a producer, so I didn’t need one. I’m the person getting everything together, making sure that everyone showed up, knew what they had to do and bring. So, that’s the hat I wore. But, in the beginning I had a director and I had camera people and I basically left the camera up to them. After the first couple of episodes I began to realize the I could direct, then, I realized that I could film as well! I started to develop, in layman’s terms, a two camera shot vs a one camera shot and it became clear to me that I had a little knack of knowing what shots looked better and when close ups should be done. Not that I can film, but now I can tell the camera person what I’m looking for and how I think he/she can achieve it. It took a couple of shows, but now you can start listening and

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understand where they are coming from. Once the final results are achieved, you realize the do’s and the don’ts. So, you are definitely learning something new every time and it’s the continual learning that makes it the project exciting!” As a COVID Compliance Officer and a host, Connie is now required to make sure that anyone on the set has their temperature checked, small questionnaires answered, and everyone has their masks on. Throughout the time that they are there, she is constantly combing the premises to make sure that everyone is in compliance. If anyone leaves the premises and returns, the process is repeated. “It’s the credibility to me because even if I’m hosting something, I know through my certification what I have to do and place someone in charge to keep my set or wherever I go, safe.” We asked Connie if she thought she’d like to return to personal interviews, and we found that she would. “I would love to return to personal interviews, but you would not believe the fear in people. It’s not the fear of just me, it’s the fear of sitting somewhere and in a location that people are uncertain of the camera people, even if they are masked. You know, like just to come to the table and say, “Hey, can I interview you?” I’ve tried, but it’s difficult to do interviews right now. I thought that since I am in a community with several theaters, it would be a great place to start, but the theatres are also closed. So, I’m presenting what I want to do within the new normal. Yes, you have to reinvent yourself and have something to offer in the time that it’s not here. That way, when it does come, it sounds impressive that you know how to do it. This is something that I don’t regret doing and am glad that I have it under my belt.”

It’s always a pleasure “catching” up and if you happen to be on the street, don’t be surprised if you’re approached by a friendly stranger with a camera person in tow, asking you “the question of the day”! Check Connie out on Instagram @conniescatch, cgromano15@gmail.com , or www.youtube.com/conniescatch where you can enjoy, subscribe and follow! As we wish her continued love and success, make sure you tell her that you saw her here first, at Ambi’ance Uncut!

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na, but, li o r a C th u o S in cres of tobacco, a f o s d e r d n to buy u n h a d e m n e w it o h r, w e e th th fa d My grand he had to sen r, a c a y u b d n a k Electra, o ic g u B to w d e te n n t a a w th e when h bring him back d n a o g ld u o s a young teen w a y e lf th se y , o m S e . m im so h it for ter)! I farmed r a u q a d n a e c eration of us u e n e d g e st th , la y e a k th o e ( b , 225 w that I would e n k I far back, d n o a to s, t r o e n m , k m c a su b e k during th So, if you loo ! it id d I t u b , g as been in in h th is f th o d e p n a ty t st a lo th doing ck people have la B d n u o r g h c u m you can see how â&#x20AC;&#x201D;James Scott ! e MY lifetim 57

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arlem, NY, once called, "the spiritual home of the Negro protest movement,” is home to the “Cotton Club, and the Harlem Renaissance and to such notables as, Zora Neale Hurston, W.E.B. DuBois, James Baldwin, Thurgood Marshall, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Paul Roberson, Langston Hughes and soon, the visionary, James Scott. Scott, born in Harlem, grew up not far from the infamous Lenox Terrace, the backdrop for Forest Whitaker’s newest series, The Godfather of Harlem, called Harlem, home! With a list of notables of this caliber, and James’ vision, one would wonder if the ancestors themselves were the ones guiding his path. Ambi’ance Magazine caught up with Mr. Scott to see what he has been working on these days and discovered that he now lives in Orange, New Jersey, and is the Founder/CEO of Jam Network TV. Jam Network TV streams on Roku, Firestick, Apple TV and soon, Androids with the goal of arriving on Comcast and Infinity platforms in February of 2021. Jam Network TV has everything anyone would want to see, even the channel surfers! “…for a $4.99 subscription, our subscribers really want to see everything we have. I mean, everyone doesn't like everything on their channels, but if you're flipping through the channel of Jam Network TV, you WILL find something over here, and that's for sure!”

What makes Jam Network TV special? First and foremost, it is com-

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pletely Black owned! Its platform was designed to allow you to watch and enjoy all things Black! Not just during Black History Month, but every time you tune into the station. All day, every day. For instance, there are the movies from the seventies and eighties that some of us enjoyed like, ‘Let’s Do It Again’ and ‘Gordon’s War’. There are the movies that starred Eartha Kitt, Sammy Davis, Jr., Fred Williamson, Lola Falana, and those that we don’t see too much anymore. “It’s like they’ve gone away without a channel. Lou Gossett, James Earl Jones, the list goes on and on, but we have all of these old movies on our channel as well as the new movies, too. I bought about nine hundred black and white movies that we're going through right now. Our mission is to preserve Black Hollywood.” The network even showcases some Haitian and other international films, cartoons on Saturday mornings, top pastors and ministers from all over the country, who are not just preaching, but talking about life experiences, things that made them believe more in God on Sundays. You can also find a variety of three-minute educational clips on things like the first Black heart surgeon, the first Black woman cruise ship captain or the first Black stewardess and so forth, making sure that their subscribers are not only entertained but educated as well. James’ vision for this network was born because of his love for old movies, and as we know, on most networks, we are not represented. You may catch a Sidney Poitier or someone every now and

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then, but his vision was to be able to see them all the time. Also showcased are new and upcoming artists, film directors and producers along with an array of films that Mr. Scott states is “absolutely incredible!” “My mission is to have THAT channel that I thought other Black networks should have had. I feel we need to educate and continue to allow Black and white people who watch the channel see that WE have directors, producers that are relevant from the fifties and sixties, as well as present day directors like Denzel Washington and other top artists of today... and it’s Black owned!...Right now, they’ve got to let me in the atmosphere of Black Lives Matter with promoting Black owned businesses. The abuse the Black people in Black businesses have endured is still more prevalent now! I am doing a nationwide ad on Comcast with seventy-five thirty-two second spots. The first set will be promoting my basketball league and the second, beginning in October will be about the Jam Network TV. So, you see, everything that I am doing currently as the CEO of both of my companies is innovative and different from anyone else. I have the vision and I believe in my staff. It’s a passion that we need to actually show and have ownership of the things out there that reflect our ethnic backgrounds and our national challenges.” How did the grandson of a tobacco farmer from South Carolina, who because of the color of his skin had to send a white man to purchase his car come to own a television net-

work? GMB (Global Mixed-Gender Basketball). Yes, basketball! This visionary stepped out on the belief that he could develop and sell the idea of a co-ed basketball league! He visualized a league with teams made up of men and women playing together on the court. The teams would honor the true meaning of gender equality, equal pay for equal

My mission is to have THAT

channel that I thought other Black networks should have

had. I feel we need to educate and continue to allow Black

and white people who watch

the channel see that WE have directors, producers that are relevant from the fifties and

sixties, as well as present day directors like Denzel Wash-

ington and other top artists of

today...and it’s Black owned!... play. The floor would be made up of three women and two men teams playing during the first quarter and then alternate to two women and three men the next quarter, repeating these orders after each quarter. There are women dunking on men as well as men dunking on women! There are WNBA, NBA players and some unknowns on these teams that are fantastic! “We now have eighteen teams, with Master P as the President and me, the CEO. Master

P has a team called the New Orleans Gators. Tiny Harris of Atlanta bought in and her team is the Atlanta Heirs. In Miami, Trick Daddy and Trina’s team are the Miami Ballers. In New York, there’s Ice-T and Mick Benzo with their NY Knights, Anwon Glover has the Washington Fusions, Mo’Nique and husband Sidney, own the Houston Equalizers, and there’s Nephew Tommy with his Dallas team just to name a few…I’ve added celebrities to bring a halftime entertainment to our games. So, not only will you get to witness men and women playing together on the court, you can bring your wife, your children, making it a family affair. This is a first. No one has ever seen men and women play together until now and it’s exciting, it’s entertaining and it’s Black owned! Having the league for a few years, we were building the momentum and beginning to pack the arenas from top to bottom. As we were preparing for the 2021 season, COVID-19 hit everyone hard. However, the pandemic has been in our favor because we were actually able to pick up more players. Today we have a roster of 350 players, including players from the NBA and WNBA and you can watch the games on www.globalextendedbasketball.com! You’ll be amazed at how many women can play ball with the men.” Soon, Scott was approached by an ‘unnamed’ company who wanted to put the games on their channel. Scott, who didn’t come from generational wealth, felt that this would be a good financial move with gaining

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the publicity that would be required to promote the leagues. However, before he signed on the dotted line, he had another epiphany. To everyone’s surprise, Scott wanted his OWN channel along with the original deal! Jam Network TV was created! With the new channel, Scott had to learn the industry from the bottom up. “…We were with some other people and they weren’t treating us properly, so we left them. Guess you can call it going through college because we had never done a channel before. When I did this with them, my channel was the channel that they designated me and it became better than any channel they had on their entire program list.! So, now I am the OWNER of Jam Network TV. I have the Global Mixed-Gender Basketball, and complete Black ownership and it should finally be the right time for equality, not just with the safety and security of our lives,

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but as business owners too, with the welcoming of an opened door and a seat at the white table! Let me in, okay, so that we too, can have a slice of the pie!”

To find and support these venues check out James Scott at www.jamnetworktv.com, www.globalmixedgenderbasketball.com, or Google: James Scott GMTV Basketball.

Ambi’ance is honored to bring the visions of our friend and colleague to our audience as we unite in solidarity and support. At Ambi’ance, we love basketball, male and female leagues. However, to see them both on the same team, owned by celebrities with fun and entertainment for the price of one ticket? Well, that’s priceless, and we look forward to joining you on the courts! Now to add to this package a network channel featuring every genre of television one could ask for is equally exciting and we are honored to be on the second floor as the ground floor has been completed through the voices of the ancestors.

“I want people to know that there's a Black owned co-ed basketball league for the first time in history. I want people to know that we have Jam Network TV that's black owned, has Black content and movies that you haven't seen for years along with the history of our heritage. We have actors like Cicely Tyson, Morgan Freeman and James Earl Jones in their breakout roles. We want to show the brilliance of our people. This cheers me up. Just talking about it plain and simple. It’s ours, owned and operated and that’s what I’ll leave you with.” Well said, my friend and we’ll see you at the MOVIES!!!!

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Love

Jazz “…Lady V.O. told me, “Hey, let’s call the band, Love

Jazz! We won’t have any competition because no-

body is trying to out love

each other!” I was done, I mean, I WAS DONE!

(laughing) Well, now we’re known as Love Jazz”

—Tracy Neely & Lady V.O.

Everybody keeps telling us that they need Love Jazz right now! I’ve had three different sets of people calling and saying, ‘Hey, you need to be streaming,’ or, ‘We need Love Jazz because the world is in tragedy!’ I was saying to myself, ‘What does Love Jazz have to do with it?’ Then someone else called and said, ‘We need Love Jazz! We need your music! We need your love! We need you now!’ I said to Tracy, “I don't know what's going on, but everybody's going off there wanting us to return!”

“People have been bowing to us, giving us gifts, money and all kinds of things. We don’t understand it, but we keep doing what we do because we love what we do! To be honest, we love each other!” Who is ‘Love Jazz’ and what is all the hype? Well, Ambi’ance Uncut knows exactly who they are. They are Tracy Neely and Lady V.O. (the Black Puerto Rican as she proudly tells everyone) They are a two-person band with Lady V.O. on the congas, bongos and percussion and Tracy on the guitar. Spreading their message

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of love, they cover the music genres of jazz, hip hop, progressive jazz and R&B. This couple loves LOVE, whether it is between them or sharing it with others. They finish each other’s sentences, they share the same compassion for humanity, and are continuously complementing each other, either subtlety or openly and if you believe in true love, it is an amazing thing to witness! When asked if they were married, instantly and simultaneously they both happily screamed, “Yes!” Lady V.O.: “I'm loving life. I’m in love with ME and I love Tracy to death. I love playing music with him. He is one of the most amazing and handsome guitar players that I’ve ever heard play, probably in my life. That’s what I love about this menagerie that we’re encapsulated in. We are vibing off of love and it’s the most powerful vibe on the planet, in the universe! When Tracy plays, you can feel it. That's what Tracy's about, as if he spiritually came from heaven down here for a big reason. I believe that, because I know how he treats me and I’ve never in my life been treated like this! When we are utilizing vibration to enhance vibration, this is what comes out of it!”

Tracy: “After meeting Lady V.O. and she played with me for the first time, I fired twenty-three people… for REAL, because I was looking for something permanent. Like, if you’re looking for a woman or looking for a man and you’re running from club to club and you’re

having a good time, but eventually you get tired and you say, ‘Hey, wait a minute. If I want to grow, if I want to build a dynasty, then I need to build, not tear down’. I’ve been building with Lady V.O. for the last eleven years and the fruit from it has been amazing! Truly amazing! I really enjoy being around Lady V.O. I don't really have ‘buddies’ because I'm a martial art master and I don't want to be around anyone going for a pissing contest and all that. So, I don’t really hang out. Lady V.O. is a ‘tomgirl’, and she can do all the great things that most guys that I know, can’t. They can’t play pool like her, they can’t drive like her, she’s just a real badass but she looks real pretty doing it! I mean, she’s excellent. She's so amazing that I don't really like to go out with the guys. If I want to go somewhere, I like to go with her because we have a great time. In our music, she’s the

real boss, an upper echelon female living in this meager life that we live, you know. When this lady decided to come out here to be with me, I had to let her know that I was never going to let her go and never let her down. I know they wrote a song that sounds like this, but I stand on those words. I'm not going to let her go. And I’m not going to let her down.” As you observe them during their sets, it is as if they are playing to each other. Each drawing from the energy of the other into their performance as if there is no one else in the room besides them! With their love being too strong to stay encased between themselves, it purposely reaches into their community and beyond. Not looking for praise or recognition, these two love from their souls. Because we love THEM we are going to use our

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platform at Ambi’ance Uncut to not only recognize them for their music, but for how they allow their music to touch others! Avid lovers of music, Love Jazz advocates to preserve music awareness amongst our youths. As we know, intramural sports, and music are the first programs to be discontinued in our school systems nationwide. For most children, if this is lost, the only introduction to instruments will be through their parents, and that is if they are able to provide instruments and can financially sustain the cost of private lessons. Unfortunately, these ‘rights of passages’ are out of reach for most inner-city youths and are usually only reserved for the elite. For that reason, and to stop Black music from being another stolen legacy, Tracy and Lady V.O. give away instruments to children up to the age of eighteen giving them the opportunity to remain competitive within the arts. Tracy: Think about it. Nowadays, they’re taking away the bands and other music programs in the school. I found that if children could actually learn music, that’s a whole other channel. It’s like the Food Channel for children because it takes a special kind of mind to write, and understand music, or to enjoy and be able to play it. But to remove music from the schools, means to take away the recipes from the cookbooks! Look at most of the Black millionaires out there and what it is that they do….mu-

sic! We started a non-profit organization so we can put some seed into our collection of instruments. We now have a place, the trumpet player for Earth, Wind and Fire, Fernando Pullum, has a performing arts center and has gifted us some space. He saw us performing outside and he asked if we would like to bring it inside across the street, to the performing arts center. Well, it has become a donation hub for us and whenever we get instruments, we store them there and dispatch people to pick them up. So, God has just been working and giving to us. Plus, we do events to cover our articles for the non-profit. Lady V.O.: We love to give instruments to the children. Whenever we have extra money as well as the money that people donate to us, we pick up instruments and give them to children. The more money we receive, the more instruments we provide. Our goal is to provide as many instruments as possible to cover everyone that wants one. Taking their love around the country, during this pandemic, they have collectively and creatively started a pop-up entertainment company. They offer private hookah bar service, food delivery and destination and music tours encapsulated within their entertainment organization. They also have live streaming in the works so that people can access love music for inspiration during this time when people aren’t going places.

Tracy: Before the pandemic, we loved to do beach tours. We would take groups of people who came into town to the beaches and we would do our pop-up entertainment. We also used to do a ‘Cotton Club’ concept around the country. The reason is, we were not just working with singers, we are working with dancers, magic acts, comedians, anyone who could or wanted to do entertainment. We provided a forum for different artists to come up and get involved with the band for a segment of the show called, ‘What Can You Do with The Band?’ This allowed the audience to interact by singing/performing with the band. They loved it and we loved it, too! We were also at the ‘Maverick Flat’ where we worked with lots of comics, spoken word artists and musicians. We worked the top comedy shows and they would have a radio and television show that we would appear on every week as a promotion for the show. This was great for these artists to be seen and heard! Lady V.O.: It's just God, man! We’ve been performing in Beverly Hills at the Byblos Mediterranean Restaurant and Hookah Bar. It’s a very popular spot and a lot of African Americans are adamant about attending, mainly for the hookah! (laughing). I mean it is insane! Can you imagine, they have a $2 million patio with like fifty hookah tables and a raised stage! It’s beautiful as we get to spread Love Jazz all over it! It’s just been a blessing to be able to be on the stage, because

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there were no other bands working in L.A. until recently as some are just starting to come back and WE were able to work when things were slow. The love for Love Jazz has even spread across to their peers who love them as well. With eleven albums to date, they have never paid for a studio and they even genuinely show love to all within the entertainment community. Lady V.O.: You know we love everyone. Most actresses, actors and musicians are out here competing against each other. Why? We should just complement each other and not worry about what level each is on. We are not going to make more money by dogging each other out. All it does is make us look like the court jesters and gladiators thrown into the pit as they watch us battling each other. Really, we just need to start loving and sharing with each other.

Tracy: Hey, believe that! Lady V.O. is adamant about what she just described. But yes, like she said, because they're self-sufficient, they do what they do, when they want to do it, and the way they want to. It's not that we are doing it like that or that we’re doing what we want to do. Whenever you do things that way, you can generate a lot of negativity when you could be deadening a lot of violence. I've seen Lady V.O. speak to a guy and afterwards he said, “Wow, I'm glad you talked to me, because I was about to go home

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and kill myself.” There’s been others that have felt that love coming from her and thanked her as well. But we’re out here because God has us working our ministry through music. Besides, Lady V.O insisted that we perform out here amongst the people. There are people all around us and ‘safety’ was just upon us because of the love that comes from the music, like at Merck’s Park, it softens them. So, on my wife’s insistence, she wants to be outside! She doesn’t mind playing indoors, you know like the convention centers and so forth, but outside, performing amongst the people is for her! I see the big picture in her vision, too. Our music rings out to the people and it exudes love, and this is much needed. For that time, it stops the violence and the hate amongst us, and we do that by presenting instrumentation, having that forum for people to perform who may not be able to perform. Not only does Lady V.O. enjoy playing outside to the people, but she is also known to purchase pizzas or sandwiches from Quiznos or McDonald’s or wherever she can pick up food from. She has even brought ice cream and remembers to bring ice buckets as she KNOWS the community and what they like. “I'm a contributor to earth. I can't help myself. I love giving. I believe that everybody should give, we should make somebody’s day or moment greater than what they think.” Tracy: And you know, what’s funny about that is that even before Lady

V.O. and I met, we would do things that would entail giving. I created a few food programs and I also developed a relationship with a restaurant owner that we called, ‘Dan the Man’ and told him that I was feeding the homeless. After that meeting, every Tuesday night he would give me six big boxes of rib tips so that I could feed the homeless every Wednesday at a local park in Riverside. So, with Lady V.O.’s same passion, we just give away things and for some reason, giving feels great to us, you know what I mean? It really does. They say that it's better to give than to receive! Lady V.O.: I wanted to share this quickly. I was born in the Bronx; New York City and I love it out there. After I got older, I felt like I needed to go back as much as I could to see where I was born and raised. I would go back to the same apartment building and place the money in the current tenant’s mailbox. They never knew who was giving the money. When I met Tracy, we had gone back there a couple of times. I had gotten to know some of the ladies that lived over there. So, we knocked on my old apartment door and told them that I used to live there as a child and wanted to see the bedroom that I had as a kid. I told Tracy that I’ll never forget, just because I’m doing really great in life. But that apartment was the beginning of my life and made me who I am today as well as the mother that I became to my children. My parents made sure that we had what we needed, and my

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father loved taking us on road trips! It was an amazing time, and I instilled that lifestyle in my children! So, going back to the apartment, to my bedroom, brings back so many memories! It was such a great life! Tracy: That's exactly what Lady V.O. and I have been missing, during this pandemic, even though we travel about locally. We love Palm Springs and San Diego. We love going there a lot and we love to go to the beaches out here, like Malibu, Santa Monica and Redondo. We had so many things lined up in so many places for concerts and it shut down. Not so much shut down, we just don’t want to run into a roadblock in what they're telling us that we have to do. So, we're definitely being careful at the same time. But, we absolutely love road trips. We’d love to go on tour just to get on the road. Lady V.O. is a magical human being. I could just drop her off and in about twenty to thirty minutes we’re playing at a place that just hired us and liked what we did. We don’t always go on preconceived tours because that wouldn’t be fun. It’s just so amazing when you let God plan! Lady V.O.: Music just causes a vibration within you that is more than perfect. It's rolling with your heartbeat, your timing. It's just the way music presents itself! I loved playing with the drum circles. Leimert Park has one of the biggest drum circles on the planet. There’s nothing that goes on here that goes on at other circles. When you

We need to stop warring with each other. You’re down here fighting. I don’t care what reasons you put on it. We down here in this pool fighting and they up there looking down at us go to New York and you go other places, it’s like they are gentrifying the actual ancestors, the ancestry of it. But over here, the Nigerians are playing the talking drum, the Puerto Ricans bring in the beat. The Haitians come in and see this is an international circle, and they join. Because of the spiritual power, gentrification, can’t break through. You almost have to sit on the edge of it and study something that can’t be understood. It’s coming from the motherland! You’ve got Puerto Ricans, actual Nigerians playing the Nigerian talking drum, Haitians. It's so hard for gentrification to infiltrate such raw steel, because it's still raw. All the other festivals around us, the Wattstax, you go up there, the White people are playing the drums, then it's so Black over here that people just can't wait to revisit it. They can say they've been here, because once they come in here, they can feel this Blackness.

Tracy: It goes back to the conversation we had earlier about the removal of music programs in schools, it’s probably not going to mean much to White people. It means a lot to them now because they're making a business out of it. They've institutionalized the music, they're able to take it seriously because they have a coalition and the systemic support that is amazing. But we were the actual gladiators with it, we went to music class and just because an instrument was provided to us, we still used our mental vibe to make it happen. Eventually we became so good at it that we started to receive support. This support wasn’t there as a forethought. They put the monetary value behind when they were putting their kids into whatever area of music they wanted. I just want to mention that jazz is America's only original music. That's why they make the kids go in and take it over because then in the future they'll be able to say they’re playing the original American music, but it'll be White people and I said it. As we closed, we allowed Tracy and Lady V.O. final thoughts for our readers. Tracy: Despite what these folks up here is trying to make us do down here. We need to get it together and stop. We need to stop warring with each other. You're down here fighting. I don't care what reasons you put on it. We down here in this pool fighting and they up there looking down at us when we knew we should be like, “Hey, Brother, come

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news, hearing everything negative, I just stay away from the news. If you listen or watch all of this ‘people talk’, you’ll never be able to go anywhere, or do anything! A lot of Black people are stuck in their own mind, body and souls, trapped. I can understand it. That's the way it is, unfortunately, but until you actually see something outside of where you are, you don't know you're trapped!

follow me.” I could be going up that mountain. I should be climbing up that ladder and you should be behind me. And then a whole group of men and women, brothers, sisters and children all should be climbing up that ladder to get on that plateau, you know, like Pacific Palisades, like Beverly Hills. We should be climbing that mountain to get up there. It doesn't matter if they’re trying to stop us. If we get together and get our businesses, my Lady V.O. posted years ago, get your own business. Just start working on your own stuff. I'm finally trying to get it myself. You already know her,

she got me out at the park becoming famous! But, do you see what this really comes down to, what it really is? Me and Lady V.O. can start all kinds of businesses. We work on our own stuff, which is why we can now come and speak to you about us and the things we have going on. Lady V.O.: The most important thing about living is waking up. When you wake up, you’re supposed to make it a beautiful day with anything that surrounds you making your world beautiful. Instead, you wake up and turn on the television and you’re watching the

As we prepared to end this conversation, we continued to talk about the things that we’ve seen all over the country before and during this pandemic. The way humanity treats each other. The way we treat each other. The lack of respect between youths and adults, adults and the elderly and men and women. We can blame the pandemic; however, these were the problems before 2020 in each of the above mentioned. We hoped that there would be lessons learned once this is over, that we come out of this pandemic better people than we were before, humbled, forgiving and full of LOVE! With that said, “Love is in the air!”—Tracy Neely and Lady V.O. Much love to you, ALL!—Ambi’ance Uncut

Facebook: Tracy Neely

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In our current season of uncertainty, I still believe that this too shall pass…I’ve never been a politically charged person, but I think about over the last fifteen years or so, I’ve really started to see things, you know seeing things the way they really are, so I try to be expressive musically, or in the content that I create with people that I’m creative with. For me, LOVE is important and whether it is loving someone or something, you know, you have to experience that. So, that is what I choose to do with my music. Make people feel good! Maybe you can take them out of that moment of strife or stress and go back to feeling good about something, you know, even if it is temporary. —SiFred

rowing up in New York City (Harlem/ Brooklyn/Jamaica, Queens), SiFred was influenced by the incomparable Luther Vandross, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye and El DeBarge. After attending Julia Richman/Talent Unlimited High School, which is credited for the successes of alumni, Laurence Fishburne, Malik Yoba, Kadeem Hardison, Sheila E., Mos Def, and the late, Gene Anthony Ray from Fame, SiFred soon started laying the foundation for what would be his passion…music.

SiFred began his career as a background singer going on tours with various artists such as LL Cool J (Around the Way Tour), Queen Latifah (Fly Girl Tour), The Getaway Tour (Bobby Brown, Mary J. Blige, TLC, and Shabba Ranks) and with LaToya and Marlon Jackson (European Tour). Soon SiFred aka “Keynote” Mitchell found himself in the A&R Department at MCA Records

involved in projects by Nicci Gilbert (Brownstone), Mary J. Blige, Avant, Chante Moore and more. “I learned a lot from the experience of being at a major record label and was fortunate enough to meet many people in every department. I’ve met and learned a lot from seasoned professionals at Universal Music Publishing about songwriting, publishing and royalty collections.” Ambi’ance Uncut caught up with SiFred in Florida, where he took a few minutes to chat it up about things going on in his life, the pandemic, social injustice, and of course, music. Ambi’ance: You have been a hard man to catch up with and you know we’re glad that you stopped by to chat for a few minutes. I see you are on the east coast right now, is this business or pleasure? SiFred: For the last thirteen months, I have been traveling from the west coast to the east coast habitually. Not

professionally, but personally. A few years ago, I had several elderly family members affected by hurricanes Irma and Maria which left damages to their homes and displacing them. We renovated and upgraded their homes and they were able to return to their homes for maybe four or five months before Puerto Rico started exhibiting tremors and then the two massive earthquakes in January that were worse than the hurricanes three years ago. I once again had family members displaced with homes crumbled to the ground. I put my foot down, doing the best I can, trying to help them get back on their feet. I could have stayed home, but these are our seniors in their seventies, eighties and nineties, and if this were me, I would want somebody to love and care enough about me to want to help. So, the traveling is arduous, and it’s been stressful, but I’m a faithful and prayerful person and I know that God doesn’t put more on us than we can bear. I do the best that I can to help my family, in the best way that I can, and for as long as I can. It’s like an unspoken requirement. A cultural thing. You step up, take charge and be present. I am not obligated, but I do it because I love them. Now we have the double whammy, the pandemic hit! Ambi’ance: Speaking of the pandemic, how are you doing and has it hindered you professionally? SiFred: As for me and the pandemic, I am still able to work remotely from home or wherever I’ve been traveling, and I’ve been able

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to spend a lot of time with myself, coming up with ideas. I guess you could say, I’m not really reinventing myself, but more like thinking outside of the box. I’ve been able to be still and think of what's currently happening out there, what's trending, you know, and how to be equally as competitive with what is currently being played on the radio, what's popular and seeing how I can do something that’s a little different, something a little bit newer. The social distancing aspect of the pandemic has obviously affected how people go into production on videos or any other type of live aspects that you need to shoot for content, but I’m just staying focused, and staying safe, taking all the precautions. I don't think it's affected me in a bad way, except for just being around people on a regular basis. We just adjust on how we navigate. You can’t congregate or be in large crowds and for my clients who are starting new projects, we were unable to be in an actual physical studio. However, I will say that over the last ten or fifteen years you can easily record out of your home, with a Mac computer, a microphone and all of the things that you need, you can actually record at home and just rely on the mix and it’ll sound as if you were in an actual physical studio. Ambi’ance: There has been so much going on this year, between the natural disasters, the pandemic and now we are going through the social injustices and systemic racism world-wide protests. I am always cu-

rious about our men’s point of views, regarding this serious and constant issue. So, you have the floor and then we’ll talk about music. SiFred: From June until now we have the protests for social injustices, inequalities and systemic racism that we've been facing as a people. It’s been overwhelming for me to see, as well as for all of our people who were affected immediately by it. What do we do? How do we do it? How do we fix it? I’m forty-nine years old, so obviously I wasn’t alive when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. passed away, but I was born literally two or three years after that and I feel that the only thing that has changed in this country has been technology and fashion. That’s it! Everything else has remained the same even though fashion does come around in segments. I mean, we are no longer drinking from separate fountains or that kind of thing, but we are still fighting for equality. The issue has not really been addressed, it’s never healed, and now with this administration, and the whole Trayvon Martin and Eric Gardner murders and everything that has happened over the last several years, it all came to a spiraling head with George Floyd. I can tell you this, they ripped that band-aid off, and you saw everything scurrying underneath. People are angry as they’ve looked back and said, “Wait a minute, this is 2020 and we are still being targeted as if we are back in the fifties'', you know what I’m saying? I believe in the protests and I believe in the rioting because sometimes you’ve gotta

shake the tree a little bit. Make some noise and be heard. What I don’t condone is the looting, and you can’t explain to me why you would run into Target and loot a 65” television because you are protesting watching the murder of a man on television only to take it home, hook it up, and watch everyone protest? Where is the ‘cause’ in that? Or going into Foot Locker and looting several pairs of sneakers that you had to go in the back of the store to find. Martin Luther King and Congressman John Lewis and all the notable Civil Rights leaders protested. Not only did they protest, but they did it peacefully and they had a purpose. They knew the risks of having dogs sick on them, hosed, beaten with Billy clubs or even shot, they knew the risk! I agree with today’s generation and their protesting but do it for the RIGHT reason and understand your cause. We have to be very proactive, band together and stay on point with the message! Let them know that we have the numbers and will fight to defend ourselves for the right to be treated fairly! I’m not the most religious person in the world, but I am a very spiritual person. I believe in God and I know where my faith lies, but you know we have to be prayerful and hopeful that things will change. I can’t control anything else, but I can control what I do. Ambi’ance: I totally agree and yes, we must remain steadfast in the mission and not lose sight of the prize. Let’s talk about something that makes us all feel good, music! You are a singer, songwriter, music

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producer and the list continues. Where are you now on the scope of everything?

SiFred: I decided to start my own business as an independent consultant, where I give independent label managers and artists, the tools that they need to put that artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s project together, ie...getting them to the right producers, writers, creative art directors, imaging styling and so forth. I also give them the option of me serving as creative director for photo or video shoots. Um, so that is what I do professionally. As you already know, I started out as a singer, and finally, after many, many years, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve decided to work on a project for myself, my own album! I enjoy writing because it's naturally instinctual for me, and although I enjoy the entire creative process, whether it's writing for myself or others, I love to sing! I love to say how I feel in a melody form. You know, letting people see how I feel when I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily articulate it in conversation, I say it in song. I sing about life. I sing about relationships. It's funny because in this time and generation that we're in, everybody, you know, over the last twenty-five years or so, has been all about clubs and this and that. I just write about relationships. I write about the things that I've experienced in relationships, things that I wish wouldn't happen to me

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or would happen to me, or I write about things that I see happening to others. I love writing about love and life’s experiences in relationships. I would say my strongest forte are ballads because of the type of artists, singers, producers and songwriters that I admire and have admired since I was a child. Singers such as Donny Hathaway, Sam Cook, Marvin Gaye and El Debarge and of course, Luther Vandross! These are the singers I grew up listening to. Ambi’ance: That’s funny, because when I listened to some of your older recordings, and viewed some of your videos, those artists were the ones that I immediately associated you with. I saw you as a balladeer with the musical content, your stage presence and your image. You know, you’ve honed into their smoothness? (laughing) SiFred: I tell you something. I am a fan of Luther’s. I think I am the ultimate Luther Vandross fan! Everyone says that they love Luther, but I have been following him since he was in the group, Luther when I was about seven or eight years old and then the group, Change. I’ve always been taken by his control, his genuine sincerity and how he emotes his lyrics. He and Donny Hathaway have really set the tone of where I am with my music style. Ambi’ance: You know I’m Ole’ Skool to the bone. I love the music of that era and these guys were amongst the artists of that time. You know, when I listen to it today, not

only does it have that chair dancing, finger popping, “Ooooh, that’s my song” vibe, but the songs had meaning. You can relate to the lyrics; you remember where you were, who you were with and sometimes even the season when the album hit the sound waves. I can still relate to some of the newer artists today, but even through sampling, it’s not the same. SiFred: Yes, when music felt good! Let me tell you, and it's funny that you would say that, because while I understand the generation that we’re in, you know, we have to evolve with music. We must evolve with the times and the generational gap and stuff like that. But there's still listeners. People that love to hear music. That’s why you have a chart for every genre on billboard. You know what I mean? You can still do the music that you love and still have an audience for it. But a lot of these artists today, unless they are that type of artists that are universal, where they can do different areas, most will stick to what they know. Whereas artists from, I would say the nineties or even the eighties, they knew how to give. If you were R&B, you can do a R&B song, but then still do a song that could eventually be on a soundtrack to a film, or that can be used as a PSA, something for an organization that represents. There are so many different layers, you know, but a lot of these people are stuck in that lane that they're in, which is good. Because if a record is bagging, and they played it on the radio and it’s got you moving,

it's a blessing! However, I would encourage them to broaden the scope of their creativity and think beyond what it is that they're doing. You know what I'm saying? I think that's the challenge that some of these artists don't consider because they just get comfortable where they are and if they're popular selling records and doing shows that work best for them, they don't think bigger. They don't think long term. Ambi’ance: Exactly, it’s the things that they are doing now that can make them the legend of generations to come. Look at Charlie Wilson, for example. He came from that era. Today, he’s still recording and still making the charts. He receives the admiration and respect from the artists of this generation, and they refer to him as ‘Uncle Charlie’ and some of these artists weren’t even born or remember when he was in The Gap Band! (laughing) SiFred: Oh my God, yeah! You know, the funny thing with Charlie Wilson is that the one thing I will say about him, he never compromised his vocal. Meaning he’s never tried to. Now, you might have songs in terms of the musicality that might give you a little bit of today's younger market, because most of those people that are producing those records are younger producers and younger writers that he's welcomed. What they have done is basically conformed to his sound. He's never changed his vocal style, but they have incorporated his vocal style into this particular style of

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music. It's not like he's trying to do a Chris Brown or an August Alsina type of a record. You know what I'm saying? Vocally, you know, so that's why he stayed a lot longer and relevant and he's doing a hell of a job doing it! I'll tell you that much. Ambi’ance: You mentioned earlier that you were finally working on something for yourself, these days…tell us about it.

SiFred: Well, I have never wanted to be a singer, but like I told you earlier, Luther was my inspiration and what I loved about him, wasn’t the fact that he was a dope singer or songwriter, I just loved his stage. So, I aspired to be a background singer and I said, “I want to climb up the background singer ladder and I’ll get to sing background for Luther!” So, I had an opportunity to work on a couple of songs for his Dance with My Father album. Unfortunately, about four days before our studio date, Luther had his stroke. So, it never panned out, but, the fact that after thirty years I was able to meet him, be in the same room as him and he chose two of my songs, I was humbled, honored and discouraged all at the same time. Fast forward, about four or five years ago, I decided early in my forties, which is difficult to do when you’ve never put a single out, never done a mixed tape, never performed solo, to get in there and not only record, but put a record out, it just happened by default! I had some songs as an A&R for an album project for a client who breached their contract and I had to

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go through the whole legal process to try and rectify it. Anyway, I won the judgement and it left me with the songs. Now, I’m like, what am I going to do with these songs because I wrote them for him. I started getting some really good feedback and decided to cut them myself. But because I knew that I wrote these songs for someone else, they didn’t really sound like me, even though I was the one that wrote them, so I decided to redo the project that I previously released and I took some songs out and put some new songs in. So that’s what we’re working on now and I’ll be shooting the video within the next month or two. In addition to that, I'm still transitioning to television and film work musically as a music supervisor and content creator. Yes, I'm out here putting my hands in a lot of different things that people are respecting my work for, you know, but the album is coming and it’s dope! I'm working with some really good and amazing producers who I've been a fan of. People who have put out millions with people that I love, like Faith Evans, SWV and Usher. These are the people that produced some of those records and they are working with me on my project. I’m a fan and I’m so excited about where I am going with this! Ambi’ance: Exciting for sure! Well, SiFred, it’s been a pleasure and I have had a blast! I’ve truly enjoyed you and I am sure that our readers will as well. As we close out for now, any final thoughts you want to leave us with?

SiFred: A final thought? You know, my final thought is just a general thought, words I live by. You can't control life, you can only control what you do in it. You know the blessing is always in the struggle. You can't be blessed if you don't go through a little bit of a struggle. I am a firm believer, that if it was that easy, you would have that song in place, the movie roles, magazine covers, the jobs we want. But listen, life’s not designed to give you what you want when you want it. Now that doesn't mean that you can't obtain the things you set your sights on. You just have to work hard, stay focused and on course. Finally, be the best version of yourself and you’ll receive everything that is designed for you. Ambi’ance: Awesome words to live by! With that being said, where can our audience find you? SiFred: You can find me on SoundCloud, at Keynote2117, where I have some songs, of mine. I have a single, called “Love U”, available on iTunes under SiFred Mitchell. SiFred Mitchell on YouTube, my website, www.SiFredMitchell.com where you can buy the album, look at the gallery, listen to some old videos and other stuff. You can also follow me on Twitter at keynote2117 and Instagram @keynote2177. Ambi’ance: You have Ambi’ance’s total support and we wish you continued love and success!

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lways true to its mission of bringing you the best of those contributing within the industry of entertainment, Ambi’ance Uncut acknowledges the legends, the Unsung, as well as the up and coming artists. In this issue, Flice Fuego, half of the FuegoMarket duo, is our featured up and coming artist. Born and raised in Burlington, NC about a half-hour’s drive from Greensboro, Flice grew up around music. By the age of five or six, he

had already begun watching his older cousins, who started a group called, Toys, rapping and receiving buzz all around North Carolina. Later, Mike Rankin, the eldest cousin came up with the name, Carolina Henchmen in one of his songs. “After the name Carolina Henchmen was named in my cousin’s song, two of my other cousins took the name and kinda ran with it. That’s when we (the younger cousins) started the whole Carolina Henchman thing and then we formed something called, Money House. We had linked up

with another North Carolina group and we pretty much made Money House the label, but we kept Carolina Henchmen and I’ve been doing music under it since I was around fifteen or sixteen years old. Today, the Carolina Henchmen are still going strong backing and supporting their younger cousins, Rashad Fields aka ‘Flice Fuego’ and George Williamson, aka ‘Black Market’ who are now booking as the duo “FuegoMarket”. Ambi’ance Uncut caught up with Flice after their inter-

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view on Raleigh, NC’s radio station, The Choice FM 92.1. Still pumped, Ambi’ance asked how it felt to hear their music on the airwaves. “Yeah, it was a real dope experience! I’m still mesmerized by it. It’s that sensation just to hear your music being played with people all over the air hearing it. It’s crazy!! It was actually my first time having that kind of interview of that caliber, I was a little nervous, but it was good for the most part! It’s a wonderful and satisfying feeling of finally reaching a part of your vision!” After moving through the underground industry for most of their career, FuegoMarket is continually developing a fan base and has been dubbed, the “OutKast of NC” with their fan base now reaching all around North Carolina, South Carolina, California and recently found out that some portions of Africa and other countries, are downloading and playing their music while social media is keeping the buzz alive.

With most of their marketing and videos being done in North Carolina, FuegoMarket finds themselves understanding the power of family support and industry networking. “We connect with each other in the market. If there are guys out here doing camera work, we work with them. It’s like a corresponding relationship, we look out for them and they look out for us. We are all pretty much building our brands, you know, putting North Carolina on the map. So, we’ll work with anyone that’s serious about their craft.” Being serious

about their craft, this has become a family endeavor with Flice writing all of his lyrics, his brother laying down the beats, his mother making all of their shirts, logos and other retailed merchandise, and another cousin creating the logos for their mixed tape covers. They also have family members that are promoters, event planners, social media reps., cameramen, and so forth. Let’s not forget the original, Carolina Henchmen navigating and supporting them through the industry! It looks like this family has covered every base making this a genuine family supported, owned and operated business! Ambi’ance asked how the duo was making out during the COVID pan-

demic and found that they are still doing their thing and not allowing the pandemic to slow their creativity or their determination to succeed. “The pandemic kind of put a stop to a few things. We were just getting into a mode. We had a radio interview in Charlotte right before the COVID thing happened. We were traveling and going out of state on this little mini tour, taking our merchandise to different states and of course, all of that slowed down. But, as far as standing still, I’ve pretty much been building up my music repertoire, getting a lot of writing done and pretty much lining up projects. Right now, the main song being talked about is called, ‘The Pain in My Voice’ which

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is about why I’m flared up and the struggles we faced as teenagers growing up. Its on all platforms, iTunes, Spotify, Apple music and everything like that. The trailer is out, and we are receiving a lot of social media buzz right now. So, we are pretty much going to have a video release party where we will release the whole video for that song.” With the pandemic still lurking all around the world and now social and systemic injustice being in the forefront of this country, we found that these issues haven’t been placed on the back burner of these young men and they use their current platform as their lyrical voice in addressing these issues. They attend peaceful rallies and bring that energy of equality to the mic. “I pretty much

try to put myself in that situation lyrically because this is happening to my generation. I write a lot of hard lyrics, you know here and there, but the basis of it all is to imbue positivity and positive thinking. I speak on social injustice and social justice and how we can overcome it, you know, unite as one.” Finally, we asked Flice what he wanted our readers to know about him as we get to know him and his music. “I just want people to know that I’m just an all-around good guy. I don’t put myself above anyone else, even though this music thing, I have a lot of confidence in myself and I see that I have something going like no other, but in the same sense, I’m just another human being out here trying to chase my dreams and goals,

you know. I’m passionate about this music. This is what I pretty much love at the end of the day. Ambi’ance is following and supporting FuegoMarket as they continue to make strides and differences all the way to the top and you can say that you saw them featured here first, at Ambi’ance Uncut. Check out their latest song, The Pain in My Voice on Spotify, iTunes, and Apple music. You can also follow them on their Facebook fan page: FuegoMarket145, Instagram @FliceFuego, Twitter @Fuegothegoat145, Snapchat @Fuegothegoat and finally, Rashad Fields on Facebook. Stop by their platforms and show them some love and support. Don’t forget to drop them a line and tell them that Ambi’ance Uncut sent you by!

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n April 21st, 2016, Deborah Bakaimani, my former VP of Operations for Ambiance Magazine LA/ATL was called into transition.

Deborah â&#x20AC;&#x153;Debbi Debâ&#x20AC;? Bakaimani was born in Los Angeles CA in the winter of 1970. At the age of 6 mos. She and her parents went to Blantyre Malawi to live, while there her two sisters were born. Chichewa

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is her native language, and she did not learn English until she moved back to the states in 1976. Schooling was hindered for the first year since she could not speak English. That struggle gave her an insatiable thirst for learning. During her elementary and high school years she received many awards for her academic achievements which ultimately inspired her to become a teacher herself.

When attending John Adams Middle school, she was tested for and placed in the Gifted Magnet program where she excelled. It was also during this time that she volunteered at St. Agnes Catholic school as a teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assistant and found a love not only for the children but art as well. She attended classes and workshops in her free time at U.S.C. that were geared for her love of teaching and creating. Deborah was accepted into Los An-

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geles Center for Enriched Studies (L.A.C.E.S.) where she continued her general studies and graduated in the spring of 1989. She was married that following spring and had her first daughter. She was a stay at home mom and had 2 more children within 5 years. After the third child she decided to continue her education and found a full-time job as a student teacher. She went on to receive her A.A. in Child Development and became an administrator at Golden Wings Academy located in Carson CA. She was there for 5 years and worked in every capacity of the facility. It was at this time that Deborah also developed a taste for business and business practices. She returned to school to learn the fundamentals of grant writing and nonprofit business and tax laws. Children have always been a passion for her. She joined several advocacy programs and was a proud member of the NAEYC, Los Angeles Teachers Association, Southwest College Student Body Treasure, and more. Children and their well-being took a front seat in her career path. She became a foster parent and was trained as a liaison between foster parents and childcare centers to help foster parents find adequate safe childcare for the children in their care. In the Spring of 1998, she welcomed another child and went back to work and school. She continued working as a school administrator

at GARR Academy and was afforded the luxury of having her children attend the academy where she worked. She was credited with facilitating parent informative workshops, enlisting several community based resources such as GoodWill, Salvation Army, Challengers Boys and Girls Club that came in and would offer extracurricular resources and activities for parents and children for little or no cost. She also helped to raise funds for the schools so that dis-advantaged parents could receive scholarships for their children to attend the school. In 2000 she had her last child and moved to San Bernardino County. There she helped to start the Rialto Teacher and Parent Association and opened her own childcare. She also returned to school receiving her B.A. in Psychology. She started and operated her childcare and continued her work with schools and the community for the next 11 years to help improve the quality of childcare and incorporate art and science in the general curriculum for preschoolers.

In 2012 She decided to follow her dream of having a nonprofit that catered to homeless and foster children by giving children and parents resources that they need for the reunification process and assisting the family with any and all resources that would keep them as a cohesive unit and make them into a successful family unit.. She also started to dabble in jewelry making and came up with Vanilla Dreamz Bing to help support her new nonprofit called Kidz Unlimited. A sub line was created called 'Journey' which is a children's bubble gum bead and bow line, all proceeds go to fund Kidz Unlimited endeavors. In 2014 I made an executive decision that changed the direction and legacy of Dark Gable Productions Unlimited forever. It was that fateful February in Hollywood that I invited a young businesswoman named Deborah â&#x20AC;&#x153;Debbie Debâ&#x20AC;? Bakaimani to join Ambiance Magazine LA/ATL. At that time Ambiance Magazine

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LA/ATL was under the umbrella of Dark Gable Productions. Debbi Deb started out as an assistant editor and executive secretary. Debbie Deb had an energy and drive that was contagious. Eventually she took on more detailed and lengthy projects. She later was promoted to the position of Public Relations Liaison for Ambiance Magazine LA/ATL Before her untimely death in 2016 Debbie Deb was promoted to Vice President of Operations for DGPU. Debbi Deb was instrumental in the closing of several business deals in the entertainment community. It was at her urging that I decided to venture into the world of production and management. This directly led to personal & business collaborations with “Artist, Lon Michaels”, “Reality Show star, Jackie Christie” “Radio Host Mother Love ” “Comedian SHANG” ‘Beverly Hills iconic musical platform The H.O.M. E” “Band Leader, Rory Seldon with Inner Sessions” “Designer, Aros Crystos” as well as the production & development of “The Real Nailz Queens Reality Show Pilot In her dual capacity she not only helped develop and implement the goals of Dark Gable Productions Unlimited (but pursue some of her own business endeavors). 78

Debbie Deb was not only a shrewd

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businesswoman but a fashion visionary as well. She developed two companies that were not only based on her love for children (but to inspire disenfranchised children and families to reach their goals and be successful). Vanilla Dreamz Bling allowed her to venture into the fashion world and use her creative energy. Debbi Deb developed a unique process of “Blinging Out” everything (Cell Phone Covers, Custom Pillowcases, Designer Clothing, Custom Eyewear, Designer Jewelry, Dolls even Car Seat Covers.). She became quite popular for her “Rodeo Drive” specialty cell phone covers Kidz Unlimited was a children’s fashion vehicle for kids 2-17 that focused on trendy and appropriate designs for both boys and girls. Kidz Unlimited also incorporated red carpet and charity events to showcase her young talent. Debbie Deb's dedication to Family, Community & Legacy was her calling card. Everyone who met her, adored her! Occasionally her sarcastic wit raised eyebrows. But her genuine concern for people was always transparent. She could be both bulldog (in business) and Motivator (when it came to uplifting young women). Debbie Deb's contributions to DGPU growth is undeniable. I am sure she’s up there in heaven trying to “Bling Out” some Angels Halo. R.I.P SOLDIER

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Articles inside

FuegoMarket's Flice Fuego

R.I.P Debbie Bakaimani

SiFred "Keynote" Mitchell

Love Jazz

Connie Romero

James Scott

James Womack

Christopher Dukes

Linda Scott

Jacnique Nina

Joan Burton

Hawthorne James

The Birth of Ambi'ance Magazine LA/ATL

Mr. Don Photos

content