Author: Jazz4peace

Find out how Jazz for Peace raises funds for over 850 Outstanding Causes! Harmony & Hope: Rick DellaRatta’s Fundraising Serenade for Epilepsy Advocate Roxanne Davenport and click below to watch FULL EPISODE on Spotify & Apple!

1. Watch FULL EPISODE on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0dyXrjnDrVKBlONWekcPVp

2, And APPLE! Link to all episodes on APPLE podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jazz-for-peace-podcast-featuring-rick-dellaratta/id1771220129

S: 2 E: 20 Roxanne Davenport – Normal Life with Epilepsy

Roxanne Davenport is a writer and advocate for Epilepsy awareness. Her work with “Seize”ure The Day! and Defeating Epilepsy Foundation helps people around the world spreading epilepsy awareness. Defeating Epilepsy Foundation sends newsletters out to people around the world translated in their language. Her message is “people around the world need to know that people with epilepsy are normal.” And, as a piano player herself, she also believes that music can play a role through songs with lyrics that spread epilepsy awareness. All of these good vibrations plus her southern residency of Lewiston, North Carolina brought out a special medley by Rick of Mr. Bojangles and When it’s Sleepy Time Down South making this a one of a kind interview & what we hope will someday be a fundraising experience that also raises awareness for her outstanding mission and advocacy.

Epilepsy doesn’t hold her back or keep her down. She stares for 30 seconds and sometimes shakes her right hand. This is all because of a high fever when she was a baby. Sometimes she can hide having a seizure by leaving a room before it happens. She gets an aura before one.

She had them under control before her insurance made the drug store switch her medicine to a generic brand. Generic medicine is not as good as brand name for epilepsy. It doesn’t have the same amount of the working medication in some of the pills. There can be 80% of the medication and 20% placebo.

Since she had them under control, she was allowed to drive. Not knowing about the generic medicine at that time. She had a car wreck and her daughter was in the front seat with her. This caused her daughter to have a fractured ankle and she has had five surgeries on her ankle in five years. Today her daughter is strong! Whenever anyone asks how she broke her ankle, she never says my mom wrecked the car. She just says, I was in a car wreck.

Now Roxanne wants everyone to understand epilepsy. It effects 300,000 people in the USA alone. She thinks that she is the lucky one since now her seizures are only a few a month. Some people, including children, can have up to 300 a day.

Help her spread the word! Find out more about Roxanne at: http://about.me/roxanne_davenport

AND:
Make a difference RIGHT NOW.
HELP us Take the World from ZERO to ONE. ~ LET’S DO THIS!

1. Want to Empower and Raise Funds for Kids and other Outstanding Causes?

“Partnering with Jazz for Peace is…an opportunity for the community to experience world-class music, while raising much needed funds.” ~ The American Red Cross

Click Here: https://jazzforpeace.org/0to100.pdf

Just contact us at the link above and follow the same Easy ABC Steps as 850 others!

2. Help JAZZforPEACE in its efforts to take the world from 0% funding all the way to 1% funding for World Peace by clicking on the DONATE button at the very bottom of our homepage at ⁠https://jazzforpeace.org/⁠
 or directly at this link:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jazzforpeace

S:2 E: 30 Erica M. Elliott – From Listening to Healing
See the FULL Episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3oGUXgrKr57JJAhjhDeqjq

And Apple! Link to all episodes on APPLE podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jazz-for-peace-podcast-featuring-rick-dellaratta/id1771220129

Erica M. Elliott is a medical doctor with a busy practice in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She has been nicknamed “The Health Detective” for her ability to solve medical mysteries. Erica is also an author of two books, “Medicine and Miracles in the High Desert: My Life Among the Navajo People” and her more recent memoir, “From Mountains to Medicine: Scaling the Heights in Search of My Calling.” She has given talks and workshops in various venues throughout the country, including Omega Institute and Esalen Institute. She is an inveterate storyteller. And her amazing stories had Rick dreaming into his own unique performance of “Dream a Little Dram of Me”!

Erica has lived in many different countries and cultures. She speaks several languages, has been a school teacher on the Navajo Reservation, a Peace Corp volunteer in South America, has climbed some of the highest peaks in the world, taught for Outward Bound–all before deciding later in life to become a medical doctor. Eventually she left mainstream medicine to practice on her own, following her own inner wisdom about healing chronic illness.

Erica was on of the founders of a co-housing community in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she raised her son. She gave a TED talk on the subject in 2015.

Erica writes a blog that is a mixture of cutting edge medical information, memoir, healthy recipes, and travel. The website is www.musingsmemoirandmedicine.com The website where you can learn about her books, see many interesting photos and little videos of her life, is www.ericaelliottmd.com

AND ~
HELP us Take the World from ZERO to ONE HUNDRED!
LET’S DO THIS. Help JAZZforPEACE in its efforts to take the world from 0% funding for World Peace all the way to 100% by clicking on the DONATE button at the very bottom of our homepage at ⁠https://jazzforpeace.org/⁠
or directly at this link: ⁠⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jazzforpeace

Dr. Hank Seitz Proving our Thoughts Shape our Reality S:2 E:29

Link to ALL Episodes of JFP Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Gd2ohlOthfQgCAOFM9JFM

Link to all episodes on APPLE podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jazz-for-peace-podcast-featuring-rick-dellaratta/id1771220129

Love, Joy, Peace & Enlightenment are 4 things that Dr. Hank wants you to have in your life at all times!

Episode 29 of Season 2 brings us Dr. Hank Seitz – The Mind Scientist Who Turns the Impossible into Reality. Dr. Hank is a mental scientist, ordained minister, businessman, author, and life coach with an extraordinary story of resilience and transformation. After a devastating car accident left him shattered, doctors told him he would never walk again. But instead of accepting their prognosis, he tapped into Divine Intelligence (DI)—the limitless power within—and became a walking miracle. Now, Dr. Hank is on a mission to help others unlock their greatest possibility by harnessing the power of their mind. A mission that inspired a performance by Rick of his own composition “Living Inside A Daydream” Find out more about Dr. Hank and his great work by calling him at the number listed in the video and by visiting his website at: https://drhankseitz.com/contact/

Helping You Become Your Greatest Possibility

After a devastating accident left him unable to walk, he defied all odds using the power of his mind—proving that our thoughts shape our reality. Now, he teaches others how to shift their mindset, overcome challenges, and manifest success in every area of life. His inspiring journey and practical insights empower listeners to break through limitations and step into their highest potential.

AND ~ 
LET’S DO THIS.
HELP us Take the World from ZERO to ONE HUNDRED! 
Help JAZZforPEACE in its efforts to take the world from 0% funding all the way to 100% funding for World Peace by clicking on the DONATE button at the very bottom of our homepage at ⁠https://jazzforpeace.org/
or directly at this link: ⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jazzforpeace

DELLARATTA performs Jazzman for Prestigious Podcast Guest

Click HERE to See the FULL Episode on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/episode/1wPWBySRt7HIaJ1kmVoI67
And APPLE! Link to all episodes on APPLE podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jazz-for-peace-podcast-featuring-rick-dellaratta/id1771220129

S:2 E:19 Mark Mustian – Word from the South

Description: Season 2 Episode 19 brings us Mark Mustian, the internationally bestselling author of “The Gendarme” and “Boy With Wings”, who is also the president of the Word of South Festival of Literature and Music in Tallahassee, Florida, now in its eleventh year of pairing authors and musicians in interesting ways. The special conversation between the two of them involving both literature and music inspired some equally special songs performed by Rick including Cole Porter’s Just One of Those Things, Louis Armstrong’s Sleepy Time Down South, and Carole King’s Jazzman! A must see for all lovers of Authors, Music and Literature!

Mark’s prior novel, The Gendarme, won the Florida Gold Book Award for Fiction and was shortlisted for the Saroyan International Award for Writing. It’s been published in ten languages. His new novel, Boy With Wings, is about a boy, well, with wings, who ends up in a freak show traveling the South in the 1930s. It deals with issues of race and religion, but more than anything with what it means to be different. He’s also the president of the Word of South Festival of Literature and Music in Tallahassee, Florida, now in its eleventh year of pairing authors and musicians in interesting ways.
Topics Discusses:
What being a Southern writer means to him, and why he founded the Word of South Literary Festival in Tallahassee.
How themes of ignorance, superstition and spirituality play into the novel.
How race and religion are portrayed in the novel.
How the 1930s setting for the novel reveals contemporary issues in society, both in the American South and beyond.
What “Southern gothic” means in 2025: its history and resurgence.
Why “weirdness” both fascinates and repulses people, and what our complicated reaction really says about us.

Learn more about Mark and his books & festival at: https://markmustian.com

AND ~ 
LET’S DO THIS:
HELP us Take the World from ZERO to ONE HUNDRED!  Help JAZZforPEACE in its efforts to take the world from 0% funding all the way to 100% funding for World Peace by clicking on the DONATE button at the very bottom of our homepage at ⁠⁠https://jazzforpeace.org/⁠or directly at this link: ⁠⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jazzforpeace

Promo Shorts!
1. Summer Breeze!

2. US Author who grew up in Tehran talks Ellington/Strayhorn/DellaRatta music collaboration Isfahan.

SEE THE FULL INTERVIEW on Spotify and Apple!
Direct Link on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2JG9Mh29CplWqaOD7l3xqd

Link to all episodes on APPLE podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jazz-for-peace-podcast-featuring-rick-dellaratta/id1771220129

Season 2 Episode 26 brings us Michael Isaac Shokrian, Editor in Chief of the literary magazine the Thieving Magpie and author of debut novel American Playground based on author’s experiences immigrating to Los Angeles from Tehran in the 1970s. Michael’s mission to deliver thought-provoking writing to readers everywhere inspired the inclusion of his recorded rendition of the Jazz Classic ISFAHAN featuring his own original lyrics plus a LIVE rendition of Seals & Crofts SUMMER BREEZE like you have never heard before nor will ever hear again. Learn more about Michael and buy his book at: ⁠https://www.mishokrian.com/⁠ and join his digital literary magazine at: ⁠https://thievingmagpie.org/⁠

Created by Michael Isaac Shokrian, the Thieving Magpie started in 2017 as a digital literary magazine dedicated to procuring and publishing good art: fiction, poetry, essays, art, photography. It seeks writers and artists who take their art and mischief seriously. New and emerging voices and visions will share these pages with experienced writers and artists who believe in their craft. We don’t seek perfection, just dedication to the process, craft and truth in art.

Here is Michaels American Playground Summary: It’s 1971, and 7-year-old Mishel Manoucherian’s family has packed up their life in Tehran and moved to Los Angeles, launching him headfirst into a disorienting new world of social and schoolyard expectations. At once a witty and warm exploration of the immigrant experience and coming of age tale, American Playground illuminates the Iranian American experience through a child’s unique perspective.

Calvin Schwartz – Calvin Schwartz-Reinvention Personified!! (novelist, journalist, lecturer, spiritualist) S:2 E:18

1. Rick performs Rick DellaRatta performs Timeless Peace Anthem for Podcast Guest Calvin Schwartz
2. This amazing interview inspired some extraordinary Music including this version by Rick of the Tears for Fears Classic, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, whose lyrics are “about the thirst for power and its consequences, with intimations of what was seen by many at the time as the imminent threat of global nuclear war.”

See the FULL Episode!
Link to JFP Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7EaDAJdVoCiGhZhzz58R7U

Link to all episodes on APPLE podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jazz-for-peace-podcast-featuring-rick-dellaratta/id1771220129

S: 2 E: 18 features Calvin Schwartz, Founder & Host @ Conversations with Calvin. His recent novel, ‘There’s a Tortoise in My Hair; A Journey to Spirit’ was given the prestigious Kirkus Star for literary excellence. The writing has been compared to legendary writers, Philip Roth, John Irving (World According to Garp) and Kurt Vonnegut (Slaughterhouse Five).This amazing interview inspired some extraordinary Music including the Timeless Peace Anthem “We Can’t Make it Here Anymore” along with the Tears for Fears Classic, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, whose lyrics are “about the thirst for power and its consequences, with intimations of what was seen by many at the time as the imminent threat of global nuclear war.”

Calvin’s recent novel, ‘There’s a Tortoise in My Hair; A Journey to Spirit’ was given the prestigious Kirkus Star for literary excellence. The writing has been compared to legendary writers, Philip Roth, John Irving (World According to Garp) and Kurt Vonnegut (Slaughterhouse Five). Available on Amazon/Kindle: https://amzn.to/46CveE9

As the founder and host of Conversations with Calvin ; WE the SpecIES, Calvin produces and hosts specialized video interviews with accomplished and diverse people who do the living and dying in America. With over 3 1/2 years of experience in this role, he aims to create engaging and informative content that showcases the stories and perspectives of his guests, and to foster a dialogue and understanding among different specIEs. He has a BS and a BPh from Rutgers University, and has taught Career Explorations at the same institution in 2019.

He is also a self-employed writer, producer, and co-hosted NJ Discover TV; also a media production company that covers various topics and issues in New Jersey and beyond. With over 12 years of experience in this field, Calvin has developed skills in new media, editorial, video production, radio, journalism, television, and media production. He’s also written two novels and co-founded a global environmental think tank, Climate Optimists (Everything NOT Fine).

He serves on various advisory and steering committees related to women’s health, digital newspaper, and one health (human, animal, plant), and has reported on autism, women’s soccer, homelessness, hunger, comedy, music and film. He is passionate about using his communication and collaboration skills to make a positive impact in the world.
Find out more about Calvin, his Books and Podcast at ⁠https://calvinschwartz.com⁠

AND ~ LET’S DO SOMETHING GREAT TODAY:

HELP us Take the World from ZERO to ONE HUNDRED! Help JAZZforPEACE in its efforts to take the world from 0% funding all the way to 100% funding for World Peace by clicking on the DONATE button at the very bottom of our homepage at ⁠https://jazzforpeace.org/ or directly at this link: ⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jazzforpeace

S:2 E:17 Gabe Toth ~ A Life In Music

See the FULL Episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6qTyJx3NHKHdXGjMfX1S5R

And Apple! Link to all episodes on APPLE podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jazz-for-peace-podcast-featuring-rick-dellaratta/id1771220129

Gabe Toth shows his true passion for music and music instruction for both Vocal and Instrumental training on all levels and across diverse genres and (along with his dog Zappa!) inspires a very special medley by Rick of classic songs by Leonard Cohen and The Beatles in one of our true season 2 highlight episodes that you don’t want to miss!

Gabe Toth brings 40 years of industry experience to his role as a sight-reading pianist and vocal coaching expert, having performed in diverse settings from churches to Broadway, touring companies, colleges, and cruise ships. His musical journey began early as a major soloist in a boys choir and a professional church organist at just 11 years old.

In addition to his classical training in voice, piano, and organ, Gabe is well-versed in jazz and rock music and proficient in guitar, bass, and drum kit. With 40 years of performance experience as a show band pianist, entertainer, vocalist, arranger, and orchestrator, Gabe has honed his skills in various musical genres and settings.

With 25 years of teaching experience, Gabe provides personalized weekly evaluations and tailored curriculums to help students of all ages and levels grow, advance, and see progress regularly. His passion for nurturing the love of music and the joy of creating it shines through in his teaching approach. As an alumnus of The Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts and Berklee College Of Music, Gabe Toth is dedicated to sharing his expertise and fostering a lifelong appreciation for music in his students.

Learn more about Gabe and sign up for his online lessons and courses at: www.gabetothmuzakinstruction.com

AND ~ 
LET’S DO THIS.
HELP us Take the World from ZERO to ONE HUNDRED! 
Help JAZZforPEACE in its efforts to take the world from 0% funding all the way to 100% funding for World Peace by clicking on the DONATE button at the very bottom of our homepage at ⁠https://jazzforpeace.org/
or directly at this link: ⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jazzforpeace

S2:E16 – Dawn Westrum: How to Stay Healthy, Athletic & Forever Young (No, Really)

Episode Teaser – Rick performs Sara Smile & Sound of Silence for Special Guest Nutritionist Dawn Westrum

See the FULL Episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0TurUqagYOOQGmIwAZfFXR
And APPLE podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jazz-for-peace-podcast-featuring-rick-dellaratta/id1771220129

In this high-energy episode, we sit down with Dawn Westrum—ultra-marathoner, paraglider, and unapologetic health rebel—who’s been cracking the nutrition code since 2004. Dawn shares the do’s, don’ts, and “what-were-you-thinking?” truths about staying fit, sharp, and biologically young. We dive into her upcoming book on the OligoScan (spoiler: your minerals are screaming for attention) and how she helps people fire their meds and feel amazing again.

Plus, Rick drops a one-of-a-kind musical mashup that blends Simon & Garfunkel nostalgia with a dash of Hall & Oates, all wrapped around a spontaneous, soulful jam that’ll leave you smiling.

A must-listen if you like your health advice bold, backed, and a little badass

Find out more about Dawn at: https://www.vigeohealth.net/

Dawn Westrum is a health enthusiast and has been studying nutrition since 2004. Incidentally that’s also the year she ran her first marathon, and came to realize just how important nutrients were to optimize performance. Those first 26 miles were completed on a dare, with only 3 days notice!

Dawn completed her Health Coaching Certificate in 2023, at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN).
She completed her Emotion Code and Body Code certifications in 2024 and the Belief Code Certification in 2025. Dawn is listed at https://discoverhealing.com/practitioners/ Dawn is also Square 1 System certified.

Dawn never stops learning, and is always looking to add knowledge to help clients with esoteric piece of their health puzzle. Expect VIGEO Health to grow and change as she learns more about all facets of health, including relationships, communication, exercise, fresh air and nature, faith, finances, and joy.
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Dawn has now run over one hundred ultramarathons, as well as 100-mile runs, 5-day adventure races, Spartan Obstacle course races, and Ironman Triathlons. She races her paraglider, too, and was the top woman over twelve days in the 2015 Red Bull X-Alps, completing 300 miles on foot and 500 in the air. Check out her book Racing to the Sky on Amazon.
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Dawn spent ten years in the United States Army, and worked in Satellite Communications. She was stationed in Washington D.C., Germany, and England. It was partly due to her military training that she learned to have confidence in her choices and decision making process. Dawn won Soldier of the Year several times, at multiple levels of the Army command structure. She also spent a year living in a small village in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, learning how the indigenous Mayan people live such simple yet apparently happy lives. In 2009, she spent a year traveling around the world, visiting all corners of the globe, and traveling to 43 countries. The perspective she gained from her travels abroad have given her additional feedback on how there are multiple ways to accomplish goals, but that hard work and focus are always part of success.

Dawn has optimized her nutrition for athletic competitions, and is now faster in her 40s than she was in her 20s. She credits this to knowing what and when to eat and how to supplement, both before and during her races. Just as importantly, she knows how to recover quickly afterward from soreness and injuries. In 2022, Dawn ran her fastest 100 miler, completing a coveted goal of finishing in less than 24 hours. Dawn is also the reigning Age Group Champion at the Spartan Ultra Worlds! In 24 hours, she completed 62 miles and 15,000 feet of elevation gain, while failing only one obstacle the entire race.
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Dawn and her husband Jim love to throw pool parties in their backyard, and hang out with their Cattle Dog named Spot. They have 15 friendly chickens and love eating eggs. If you don’t hear from Dawn much in October, it’s because she is back on her family farm in Iowa, driving the corn combine, getting back to her roots, and enjoying a change of scenery.

Independence Month Special Teaser for S: 2 E: 21 Sara Im: Surviving Cambodia

See the FULL Episode!
Link to ALL Episodes of JFP Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/21VE31bQOroh01T2uyOl4f

Link to all episodes on APPLE podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jazz-for-peace-podcast-featuring-rick-dellaratta/id1771220129

Sara Im grew up in Cambodia where she survived four years of mass genocide that claimed two million lives. Through her faith and resilience, she escaped, fled to America, graduated college, and wrote an award-winning book called “How I Survived the Killing Fields.” …and now she speaks, coaches, and inspires others to have hope, courage, and a positive perspective in life.  Their talk was so positive it inspired a special selection of songs by Rick including Neil Diamond’s America, his own “Jazz for Peace Poem” and Sara Smile by Hall & Oates! Find Sara and invite her to speak at  www.saraim.com, and buy her book at  www.saraim.com/book

Sara has life lessons and gained wisdom that impacts others due to her experience of surviving the mass genocide of Cambodia. Her inspirational Award-Winning Book ” How I Survived The Killing Fields” was honored in 2015. As a Speaker, she shares how tenacity, perseverance , and faith are required values to conquer fear and reach success. Sara speaks to help listeners re-focus, build confidence and develop self-leadership at corporate events, conferences, churches, schools, TV, Podcasts, radios and more.
Sara operate a wellness business, Smart Healthy Living. She also co-hosts a weekly live show on Facebook, A Thriving Conversation.

AND ~
HELP us Take the World from ZERO to ONE HUNDRED!
LET’S DO THIS. Help JAZZforPEACE in its efforts to take the world from 0% funding for World Peace all the way to 100% by clicking on the DONATE button at the very bottom of our homepage at https://jazzforpeace.org/
or directly at this link:  https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jazzforpeace