Doris Day Tribute with a message from Doris!!!

[Lauren Benjamin]

http://doristribute.com/

Much to my shock, there is a message from Doris when I clicked on the link!! What a wonderful treat!

Lauren

[Dianne]

He's an exceptional pianist and her voice is very pleasant, but no where near the likes of Doris, but who could be. I think Nellie McKay's voice is much more like that of Doris (sultry and the clarity), but still not Doris either. Lauren, thank you for the link with Doris's personal message!

[doris-day-fan]

Jim Martinez and Laura performed at the Cypress Inn a couple weeks ago. It is nice that Doris is being remembered in so many ways these days - plays, festivals, CDs, concerts, etc....a great resurgence in interest in her and her work. It seems people are hungry for her and what she stands for.

I am very happy to see young people attend my author talks with their mothers, aunts, grandmothers, etc. These kids LOVE DORIS and her wholesome attitude about life, something so lacking in today's society.

Yes, it was nice to hear Doris say nice things about Jim and Laura, no doubt done within the past couple of weeks when they were at her Cypress Inn.


Mary Anne

[itmsjim]

This is so cool! I'm the pianist of the Tribute show, Jim Martinez. So glad you all had a chance to visit the website. Laura and I did the concept layout and I did the web work. It was an honor, as Doris even chose her own picture for the front!

We all totally that nobody can sound like Doris. That's not the intent, at all, as nobody could. Being a Jazz pianist, I have always wanted to pattern myself after greats like Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans and many others. But we can only be who we are. I still do tributes to Oscar anyhow because I love and adore his playing so much.

I thought I'd give a little background on Laura, since she's still a "newbie". I give her tons of credit because she's only been singing professionally for barely two and a half years! Before that, she was a "full-time" mom with three boys and a military husband. Her hands are truly full. But she wanted to sing and she's accomplished more (with my band) that most singers have done in a lifetime. We've taken her coast-to-coast and even into Canada so she can hone her craft. I asked her if she was ready for the crash course for Jazz singing and she said yes. We threw her into the fire. But she always stepped up. And what can't be seen from the video is she's a fantastic entertainer and has the audience captured the moment she sets foot on stage.

With that said, Laura pours her heart and soul into this. She's always loved Doris' music and she has even become an "expert" in her life stories. And, not to make excuses, but that video online was from our very first tribute show in Feb '09. We've done dozens of shows since then and she has been studying with a fantastic operatic teacher for a year now. I hope to have some updated stuff for everyone to see soon!

Speaking of Doris, if you want to see/hear a very long, RARE clip, go to: http://jimmartinez.com/html/DDphonecall.html
I know everyone will be thrilled! It took place in early August '09 at the Cypress Inn.

Thanks again for everyone here. All comments are totally appreciated!! We all share a love for Doris, the best singer/actress/person ever!!

[webmaster]

Hello Jim

Welcome to the forum - thank you for that, I'm sure others will want to reply - a quick comment, can you check the link to the Doris phone call, I can't hear anything: http://jimmartinez.com/html/DDphonecall.html

Thanks

Bryan

Love the jazz piano on the Snoopy page! (All I've listened to so far.)

[Dianne]

Hi Jim,
You are truly an accomplished pianist and please forgive me if I've offended Laura -- she really does have a beautiful voice -- and yes, I did listen to one of her first performances and I bet that once she settles in and finds her comfort level she will BLOSSOM! Perhaps because she's a newbie she is timid! Tell her to "sing each song as if directly to one person, not a large audience." This was the advice that Doris's voice coach, Grace Raine, gave her and look at Doris's success! Thanks again Jim!

[Lauren Benjamin]

http://www.box.net/shared/8gv72sk31b

Thank you to Jim Martinez for his message to us here on the forum and the extra added treat of a longer message from Doris - I'm anxious for them to work out the kinks so we can listen to it.

In the meantime, above is the link to the short message from Doris is recorded in mp3 and uploaded to Box.net. It's a treasure. It saves going to the web site every time to hear it and waiting almost a minute for it to come on.

Lauren

[itmsjim]

Thank you, Brian!! So glad to be a part of this! Thank you for your work to keep it going.

Hi Diane! Oh, you didn't offend anyone! I totally appreciate everyone's comments here. There are no right or wrong answers on the quiz I just wanted everyone to know a little bit about Laura's background. She is undertaking a pretty hefty task and, so far, winning over audiences everywhere. Two nights ago we were in front of almost 400 folks at a Sun City and tonight at a backyard concert for 70...both were different but fun shows. Of course, a majority of the credit goes to Doris because these folks show up excited about remembering the good ol' days. We just perform the songs as well as we can and people go home happy!

Regarding the quote to "sing to one person", Laura even tells the audience that story, right before we play "My Romance". I think she's read every book written about Doris, including watching ALL of her movies and TV shows. Plus, we have the opportunity to ask questions that get to Doris directly and we always get wonderful answers! I wish I could share all the stories of wonderful recent deeds that Ms. Day has done for us and some of my friends and fans, all on her own without being asked. These are the things that keep us moving forward...to tribute a sincerely beautiful soul.

So is everyone having trouble hearing audio at http://jimmartinez.com/html/DDphonecall.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;? Hmmm, works great for me. Tell you what, if it still has trouble, I'll just put it up on YouTube and repost the link. It is really cool and I'll bet some of you get tears...I still do. Or I could post just the audio at box.net like Lauren did (thank you, that was a great idea!!)

Bye for now!
Jim

[mikeydv]

Jim;\
That was wonderful! As are you and Laura. I thoroughly enjoyed the excerpts you show on the forum from your concert, and I am hoping you are coming somewhere in the Baltimore Area. I would love to see and hear you.
Mike DV

[Lauren Benjamin]

Jim~
If there is anything I can do to help, just PM me and I'll send you my e-mail address. I would be happy to post the larger Doris call/message or whatever it is on my box.net account and then give fans on this forum access to it. I might be able to save you some time. That way it will be archived at Box.net.

Glad to help! Thanks for all you and Laura do for Doris!

Lauren

[Dianne]

Jim,
Thank you for that wonderful phone call -- Doris sounded great and obviously very moved by the outpouring of love and affection! She always seems so surprised when folks gather on her behalf and even mentioned that "next time she will be there." Oh how I wish she would attend one of these tributes and her Birthday Celebration in Carmel! We love her -- always have and always will!

It's obvious that people love Doris from all around the world! I read somewhere that when Doris's song "Que Sera Sera" is played, that people just start singing along. They may not know all the lyrics, but they know the song and they know Doris Day! I don't know of any other person on this earth that can so humbly evoke such deep feelings of love and true admiration from those around them.

DORIS WE LOVE YOU! THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE JOY THAT YOU CONTINUE TO GIVE US. xoxo

[Lauren Benjamin]

http://www.box.net/shared/9y14uyrv9k

Above is the link to the *long phone call* that occurred when Doris called Jim and Laura during their show in Carmel on August 9th. It is a very touching call with much love being passed back and forth from Doris to audience with Laura and Jim in the middle, so to speak. Very touching.

And thanks to Jim for bringing us this treasure, which is now archived.

Lauren

[Peter Flapper]

Hi Lauren,

Thank you and Jim for making this "conversation" with Doris available. It's always great to hear her. I love that lady!!!

P

[suzie]

Jim, my cousin and I will be at your show in the middle of this month . We are so excited that you are doing such a wonderful show in honnor of our sweet Doris. Cant wait to see you and Laura .

[webmaster]

You can watch Jim & Laura on YouTube and subscribe to their Channel.



More: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOMDLY_I ... re=channel

[itmsjim]

Diane & Mike, we're scheduled to perform in Silver Spring, MD next May. That would be a great opportunity for us to pop over to Baltimore. I'll see what I can do, as far as venues. Maybe we should do a fundraiser for the local SPCA or something. They'd want to help with promotions if we did that. If you have any ideas, please let me know!

Thanks everyone for this string. It's pretty fun! BTW, I also have (audio only) a second phone call from Doris. She called in twice that evening. The video camera ran out, but there's not much to see anyhow. Email me at jazz@jimmartinez.com and I'll get it to the archive department

Thanks!
Jim

[Lauren Benjamin]

Jim Martinez is quick to admit he’s always had a thing for Doris Day.

Spend a day - or three - honoring Doris Day
By Sue White | The Saginaw News October 08, 2009, 10:00AM

"Jim Martinez is quick to admit he’s always had a thing for Doris Day. “I’ve been married for 17 years,” says the Saginaw-born jazz pianist, 44, “and my wife will attest to it. I’ve always called Doris Day my girlfriend.”
But it wasn’t until he started performing with singer Laura Didier that Martinez thought of pulling together a tribute to the popular girl-next-door singer and actor.
“Laura is a beautiful girl and she sings great,” Martinez said. “And she has the same qualities that made Doris Day so popular, the feel of being the girl-next-door. After 25 or 30 people came around, telling us how much she reminded them of Doris Day, we got the message.”

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/sagi ... honor.html

[suzie]

My cousin and I are going to be in Frankenmuth for the Doris Day festival. Spending the weekend there and plan on seeing the entire event, I will let you all know how it went. We will take photos .. (If allowed ).

[daybyday08]

I think that it's so nice of Doris to send them a message and support them. I'm sure they feel a lot better singing Doris songs now that they know she likes what there doing. It's really wonderful that people are continuing to sing a lot of her songs!

[webmaster]

Well, Doris is a very nice person. That's why we love her, she is unique.

[Dianne]

My cousin and I are going to be in Frankenmuth for the Doris Day festival. Spending the weekend there and plan on seeing the entire event, I will let you all know how it went. We will take photos .. (If allowed ).

Oh Suzie....You are very lucky to live close enough to attend!! Wish I could be there too! Have a great time....does your camera take videos??? If so maybe you can tape their performance.

[suzie]

Sorry everyone ,I cant take photos of the festival . Just found out yesturday that I have to work on saturday .
Its hard to understand that in this economy that we are busier than ever. My line at work is producing 1,344 cars per day. (Yes thats PER day. ) I have been putting in eleven hours a day and working saturday too. I am greatful as I know it may not last so I have to work alot now and save for later. This is what I look like after working eleven hours straight on my feet ...Thats the cafine kicking in trying to stay fast and alert .lol Diane I love your avatar is that one of your babies ?

[itmsjim]

Suzie, we missed you! However, I did get some pretty good photos. Day 1 was Movie Night...no need for photos there. They had a great turnout for "Calamity Jane". Day 2 was the Powerpoint presentation on Doris' life and career and catered dinner. What a magical evening, as they turned the stage of the performing arts center into a 5-star restaurant! I played a little background music during dinner. Day 3 was the concert. Paul Keller, an amazing bassist who has worked with everyone, including Diana Krall, is from Ann Arbor area. The drummer was Paul Siers. He also is a world class musician and we both happened to be born in the same hospital as Stevie Wonder in Saginaw, Michigan

Here is the link to some photos. I sure wish there was audio or video.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3 ... b1b4db64d6

There were so many stories about Doris from the audience. We spent each night talking to the folks that drove from all over the state of Michigan. I wish I had recorded some of these. One particular fun story was three young women in their 20's. They host Doris Day parties in their homes and watch movies, play trivia games, listen to Doris' music and dress the period. I was amazed how much they adore, love and know about Doris!!

Jim

[chele_belle]

Thanks for sharing the wonderful photos, Jim. It looks to have been a wonderful, successful event. Do you know if there are plans to repeat it next year - I'd love to attend!

[suzie]

Jim,I am so glad you had such a great time in Frankenmuth...Maybe next time I will be able to get there. Sounds wonderful and I am sure I would have loved every moment of it.