Doris J. Hall-James, Music Master Professional, Professional Model.
We caught up with Doris J.
Hall-James and her partner Gilbert Lomax Jr., one of the few Master Music
Professionals who started making music well before they were old enough to
attend college. Now these talented music master professionals are taking the
music studio scene in Philly by storm and winning fans across the city. But
first, we did our interview with Hall-James. And we’ll give you our Gilbert
Lomax Jr. interview soon.
Philadelphia Front Page News Newspaper: So, tell everyone the address of the music studio location.
Doris J. Hall-James: The Simply Music Studio is located at 251 South 60th Street Philadelphia, PA 19139.
PFPN: Since you and Gilbert Lomax Jr. are master music professionals, what’s the name of the group for your team with Gil?
Doris J.: The name of the company is Simply Music Incorporated and Greenroom Productions. And our title is the Master Music Professionals. And in 2014, I became the founder of the Simply Music Learning Center to share Music Creation with ambitious music enthusiast.
PFPN: What type of cultural activity have you specialized in over the years? And which section of the city do you service?
Doris J.: My cultural activities always deal with music, talent shows, musical plays, recitals, recordings and performances. And the section of the city is usually, West and Southwest Philadelphia. However, we have provided music services in various other states besides Pennsylvania.
PFPN: How many years have you done this, what is your official title, and at for what companies have you worked with? For whom specifically would you like to do cultural activities?
Hall-James: I have worked with music since I was a teenager. I studied music with the Berklee School of Music, the Settlement School of Music, and Al Johnson’s School of Music. I am the owner and CEO of Simply Music Incorporated which is a non-profit music company that specializes in all aspects of music creation. And by the way, I am also the Vice President of GreenRoom Audio Sound Studio (GRASS).
I have over twenty years in the music industry. I performed, sang, became a songwriter and did some producing - I continued this through adulthood. And also, I have worked and recorded with such professional recording artists as: Fat Larry’s Band, Slick, Brandi Wells, David Simmons, Sweet Thunder, Butch and Tammy Ingram, Phyllis Fine and a host of other Philadelphia professional artists. As a former performer, I recorded and released albums on WMOT/Fantasy/and Virgin Records.
I own my publishing company, James Gang Music and have a catalog of over 100 songs recorded and published by professional artists from Virgin, Fantasy and WMOT Records.
In addition I have been a Center Director for Job Corps over the past 20 years and have been responsible for academic and vocational education for the federal government.
Today, I am also the Choir Director for the First Baptist Church in Morton, PA. I love to do cultural activities for both kids and adults.
PFPN: When did you notice something was lacking in the urban section of the city and what did you plan to do about it? Did you organize anything specifically for youth, adults, or seniors and if so, what was the result?
Hall-James: In all of my centers I created some type of music program for the kids. I traveled many places but always returned home to fill the void in the urban community not having musical training facilities within the community that I live. When I returned home from West Virginia in 2009, for example, I began to implement music teaching in my home BY teaching piano. Children, adults and seniors were attending classes in my home. I had 18 students then.
PFPN: Is there a mission or curriculum and if so what is it?
Doris J.: Our mission is to provide music education and appreciation to lower income children and youth between the ages of 3-15. And we want to bring the entire Urban Community a means to partake in the creation and development of music. Our company enjoys providing training in piano, flute, guitar, bass guitar, music software, vocal coaching, songwriting, studio recording, music theory, and other aspects of music.
PFPN: Have any of the youth who engaged in the activities developed so well to advance beyond high school? Without naming them, can you list what they have become such as musicians, etc.?
Doris J.: Yes. I have two males who
have moved on to colleges majoring in music.
