A TOUCH OF JAZZ
AJODAH: A MAN WITH A STORY TO TELL
Interview by Christopher Clark
A
jodah is a jazz musician from the old school.
A pianist with a classical style, Ajodah has
experienced a life that movies are made
from. From his upbringing to his time spent
incarcerated he has maintained his faith and persevered. Ajodah has written a book about his time as a
youth, his incarceration and his musical experiences.
We asked Ajodah some questions that will give them
more insight to this incredibly talented musician.
1) Your time in prison helped gave you
time to reflect on your life. What was
the immediate thought when you realized that you were going to be locked
up for some time, not just a weekend?
Of course any jail is a dangerous place
and its geared towards no rehabilitation
because they know that the longer they
keep the 8o% ratio of incarcerated blacks
and minorities in there they make money
for the state and keep law enforcement
in jobs. So my first thought was about my
safety, then I had to snap out of the issues
that combined to land me there of which
were many but my father’s death, deep
depressions, my life and musical dreams
had hit crises points, I wasn’t being a
good husband, because I had a beautiful,
sharp east Indian woman and a fantastic
son. The stresses of not “making’ it and
being told by a few that I was a failure
and a lot of demands added to the caustic
brew, but right away when that door
slammed shut for some reason when I
prayed right away all the burdens of those
things where lifted from me and actually
I spent more of my time in there being a
witness to people then letting to ruin me. I
focused on a very specific promise and I
believe the power of God took over to get
me through it. And I was allowed to start
my life all over again.
2) The title of your book has 2 meanings. Did you compose anything while
you were incarcerated?
Well “the music behind the bars” do W0