I learned too much from Michael Jackson. Having the opportunity to be both observer and writer/vocal producer was too rich to put into so many words. Watching his breathing techniques, the vocal scales he would go over and over again before even stepping in the vocal booth at the studio every day we recorded. He was perfect. He was just so giving. He gave his all.
That would be the same thing that inspires me about him. He cared so much for everything and everyone. He gave his all in anything he did. His legacy is left for us to study. It’s evidence of how GREAT he was and always will be.
I wrote “I Want You To Stay” for Michael Jackson a few weeks before he passed away. I was going to be in London the week the tour started. A few weeks prior to the tour, I flew over to London and during my stay, I wrote it in my mother’s house on her piano.
I did a studio version which will be on Late Nights & Early Mornings – Michael Jackson’s influence can be seen and heard in not just the music I make but in most artists. I can’t help it! No Pun. Why not strive for greatness?
Marsha Ambrosius – “I Want You To Stay” (Live in London, July 2009):
[audio:http://soulculture.com/Cry (Live @ Jazz Cafe 05_06_09).mp3]
[Ed’s note: Click here to download our live recording of Marsha Ambrosius’ song for MJ, “I Want You To Stay” – performed live at London’s Jazz Cafe in July 2009.
Marsha Ambrosius Recalls Meeting Michael Jackson
I’m nervous. Excited but very nervous. It’s a mild afternoon in New York City and I’m walking towards The Hit Factory studio to meet Mr.Michael Jackson. Today would be the first day recording his vocals on a song I wrote. A song called “Butterflies”. Oblivious to pedestrians and loud traffic. Tuning out any sound interrupting my inner voice screaming “Calm down!!! You deserve this!!! You’re worth this!!!”.
I walk through the glass doors leading to a front desk. I was told to give my full name and ID was required. As expected, I was. A doorman walked me to the key operated elevator and was escorted to his floor. “Michael Jackson & Friends” was written on a white piece of A4 paper taped to the door. I was led inside.
My heart is literally beating out of my chest and I’m two breaths short of a panic attack. All I recall is the sound of a grand piano playing a harmonic scale, someone singing and seeing who that voice was coming from eye to eye.
It was him. The King of Pop. The Greatest Entertainer of All Time. From the live room, he smiled at me and threw up a peace sign. Continued to warm up his vocals as I stood in awe and then made his way to me. He said my first name and gave me a welcoming embrace. “Thank you,” he said.
No Michael! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SoulCulture TV: Click here to find out how Marsha came to work with MJ when he heard her song “Butterflies”. [She talks about Michael around the 6-minute mark]
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