Dot Todman performs "I've Got Music In Me" from her one woman interactive Musical,"Why Don't We Just Sing it"
After recovering from a major surgery due to a chronic illness, this video was an experimental project to allow me to play and re-connect with my inner artist.
Arranged by Dot Todman & JJ Ryder
Lead & Background Vocals: Dot Todman
Guitar: JJ Ryder
I was just fiddling around at home with the two songs “Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin, and “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes and I realized the two songs are pretty similar. I attempted my Bobby McFerrin version of it on my garage band. Then in 2014 I was in Sedona Arizona, and just for fun, decided to grab some footage en route and in the hills. My dear friend Bryan Pitcher saw the footage and asked if he could turn it into a music video for me. How could I say no?
This was the first music video I made during my recovery from major surgery. I literally filmed this alone in my home, and my dear friend Bryan Pitcher edited it for me as a gift, to celebrating me actually being able to sing a few notes again. I was not very proud of my performance, and never made it public on YouTube, but decided to at least put it on my website because - it is what it is, and overcoming perfectionism is part of what I teach.
This day was one of the most magical days in my life. September 21st, 2019 at the San Francisco Jazz Centre....when the legendary Bobby McFerrin hands you a mic, ladies and gentlemen, you SING!
This was 2016 in Hollywood at the Hard Rock Cafe with the cover band, Casual Encounters. It was the first time I sang with these guys, and they were used to playing the song "What's Up" by 4-Non blondes, but I told them I wanted to give it a reggae vibe and was gonna switch it up a little. I had no idea how it would go. Here's the result.
Here is an excerpt from my sold-out One Woman Interactive Musical,"Why Don't We Just Sing?" performed in Los Angeles, 2019. The original song is called "I've Got Music In Me" and I wrote it when I was pre-teen. Creating my own show about my life, weaving it into a vocal journey for the audience, and trying to memorize all my lines was quite a bit of work! If I had to do it all again, I would have given myself more time to enjoy the process and performed more shows.
I remember seeing The Color Purple as a kid and it really moved my spirit. I always loved this song that Shug Avery sang in it. When I met my birth father and found out I had 5 sisters I didn't know about, many years later, I decided to dedicate this song to them.
Recorded from home - nothing fancy.
It was an honor to be accompanied by the Legendary Howlett Smith at World Stage, Los Angeles. This was an open mic setting in Leimert Park, Los Angeles.
This one is also a little rough. It's a from a live performance I did in Hollywood during one of the busiest times in my career. I was in the middle of writing, producing, directing and appearing in a musical revue called "Star Quality" when I did this. No idea what I was thinking, but it sure was fun! The next few songs are from this evening. There are plenty of flat notes for you to enjoy! Heheheh!
I just really like this song and decided to put my spin on the Bublé version. Recorded at home on Garageband back in the day! Hah! I bet you can tell.
This was at the Barbara Morrison Center in Leimert Park, Los Angeles. I just randomly got up and sang with some of the best jazz artists in the business, including Karen Hernandez on piano.
I never believed in chakras until doctors nicked my bowel by accident, and left me with an 8 inch scar along my core. I had to heal myself quickly so I could work again, and did not have the 6-8 months the doctors said it would take to heal. I decided to learn about chakras and see if toning would help. It did. I that learned my body responds to my voice. I posted this a little later on YouTube hoping maybe it would help others. This was originally recorded at home on November 7th, 2011.
Yes, I write children's music. Creating music for and recording a whole album from home was very therapeutic for me back in 2004. This song is a pretty funny song about fully stepping into life, and creating your dream. It features Fluffy Puppy. I'm obviously not a producer or an engineer, but I had FUN! And for me, that's what creativity is all about.
I used to work for Sylvan Learning Center back in the day and decided to write them a jingle. They rejected it and it has been sitting in a file on my computer all these years. I decided to put it up on Youtube to share and see if anybody finds it inspiring, though I sang it pretty straight. This was produced by Aaron Edson at Studio 1 in Burbank, CA. He also sang backup vocals.