4 minute read
QUEEN OF THE BLUES MRS. JAVA DEVINE
Sita Writer
In terms of music, the blues to many of us is part of the heartbeat —an eternal rhythm felt all over the world. as the great BB King said, “There’s a sadness to all kinds of music if you want to hear it. There’s also happiness to it if you want to hear it. Blues was started by the slaves, and I think everybody thinks that it all should be sad ... even some of the slaves had fun with it.”
And speaking of the blues and fun: meet Mrs. Java DeVine! No one we know here at BOSL sings the blues with more heart. Java’s music is a mix of gospel and electric; she is the ultimate diva of modern blues, with a voice that leaves you wanting more. As Mrs. Java DeVine explains, “Blues music tells a story of peoples’ lives and touches peoples’ souls. I learned about blues music from my daddy and aunts, listening to those down-home blues as a little girl. I would sing in the church with my grandma and learn the blues music to perform for family functions.” We are glad she learned and is following that path.
Java is modest when it comes to her ability to draw us into her soul-searching songs. We wondered what draws her to the blues: “I was given the gift to be able to sing the blues. This is where all music comes from, the heart and soul of all genres of music. I am honored that I was blessed to have this talent and voice. Blues music brought people together from well-known blues singers like Billie Holiday and BB King, Buddy Guy, and Elvis Presley, to Mick Jagger, John Mayer, and Garth Brooks.” Another question we brought up was how Java DeVine came up with her name, because it is as energetic and as soulful as her voice. “I came up with Java because I love coffee! I know that most people drink it in the morning, and that is when you get up and go… coffee hits the soul, and that is when I start to sing— and I hope you do, too, or if not, listen to your soul to start your day! As for my last name DeVine, it’s because I sing so divinely and the name just rolled off my tongue so well; I decided it was who I was going to be in SL.”
With all this talent, it is only natural that Java decided to perform in SL with a tad bit of help from her friends. “I cannot thank my long-time friends enough for all the encouragement. Case Bouvier, JaaJaaMarie, and Cecil Jarman that encouraged me to perform at their club, Sarena’s. At this club, I met other performers that introduced me to my now manager/granddaughter Sole Starr Corleone. She helped to promote and market my talent all over the grid and even helped me to be recognized as ‘SL Queen of Blues’. Sole has been a blessing to me, even though she says I have been her blessing instead.”
Java is beyond versatile— in SL, she performs all genres of the blues, from soulful to country, bluegrass to gospel. As for her favorites, “Being a lover of all genres, I also sing R&B, oldies, rock and roll, and of course, Gospel music, which I hold close to my heart because of my religious beliefs and in dedication to my real life grandmother who was one of my real life influences to sing and share the joy of music.” When Java sings, you immediately feel her essence, and that is exactly what she hopes you will experience. “When I sing in RL and SL, I hope to touch the heart and soul of people that come to listen to me. I want to uplift their spirit when they are down. I strive to bring back memories of their family members and loved ones. I often use my circle of people for inspiration when selecting new songs. I do this because I know there will always be more people in the audience that I can touch, and for me, that is fulfilling and powerful.”
As for the future, Java will continue to bring joy to all of us that love hearing soulful blues that are uplifting, authentic, and best of all, from the heart.
