What does ENDORSEMENT mean these days?

What does ENDORSEMENT mean these days?


This was definitely something I really pondered over the last 2 years. I recently sought out the Getzen Corp. for instrumental support of my musical career and performing concerns. Endorsement usually means; that you or the company would be willing to give testimonial in advertising, support, written or spoken statement endorsing a product, company, or artist. The artist usually receives some level of support by giving their  written or spoken statement endorsing the said product. Well GETZEN,...they obliged by letting me perform on there custom model 3003s Genesis Bb trumpet and 3895gb Flugelhorn, which are by the way by far... THE BEST instruments I've ever had the opportunity to play on. Getzen is a great company,.. they are a phenomenal global powerhouse in the realm of instrument quality (brass instruments), dedication to instrumental construction, and overall the music instrument business. I've been ecstatic to say the least about representing the brand and performing daily on these magnificently crafted musical instruments. BUT,... "What does ENDORSEMENT mean these days?"


Typically an instrument maker does not seek out a musician to represent their brand, unless they have clout like; Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, Vincent Gardner, Russell Gunn, Eldar, Robert Glasper, The Roots, etc - World renown musicians. Typically, a musician should seek out a company that he or she has tested/performed on their instruments and really feels like they could add something to the company by way of exposure through; performing, recording, teaching, as clinician, or giving workshops, etc. On the opposite side of that coin the company should, in theory,... only pick musicians/artist that they can get behind and whose career they could help promote over the long run. 


I really had this dream about 12 years ago while in college at Florida A&M University, were I attained my B.S. in Music. Back then,...I believed that all of the modern day musical greats were backed by a great instrument maker, and that if I were to ever be backed by such a company.... I would by proxy have arrived at GREATNESS! Over time the idea morphed into understanding that endorsement reflected a symbiotic relationship between artist & maker. I really started this process by reaching out to several trumpet companies, but always had my eye on Getzen. I low balled myself... because instead starting w/ the company I really wanted to be associated with... Getzen... I decided it would be better to start with a smaller company... which for me was a huge mistake. I ended taking one year of my life chasing someone around in circles... about just getting a relationship started... in order to start thinking about creating an instrument. The horn I originally had was a Bach Stradivarius #37... BEAUTIFUL!!! She was made in the late 60's and took me completely through all of grad school at Northern Illinois University, M.M. in Jazz Studies, and then well into the beginning of my professional career before I knew she needed a replacement. I started recording... alot and then touring before I finally reignited my search for a fine horn and a company that I could not only throw my complete support behind, but more importantly a company that saw promise in my career... one that they could support also. July 2011... after only a couple of months of talks with company representatives, ... SHE ARRIVED... literally on my doorstep. I was so happy and thus began my adoration & support of the Getzen corporation. I love showing my horns off and telling people about the high quality of the instruments. I've taken my horns on tour with me; all over America, France, the Netherlands, Belgium,  & soon... Germany with the multi- Grammy award winning reggae artist Burning Spear & his Young Lion Band. "Every time I've used these horns to perform... whether on a huge stage or small intimate one... its been WONDERFUL!!!"


So,... in a nut shell endorsement means to me.. putting your word behind a product that you feel is great all around and would love to represent. It also means leading a quality career of; teaching, performing, recording, writing about, etc.. that is worthy of the support of a great product. I continue to endeavor to live up to the great GETZEN name, and I have and will continue to enjoy everyday of the adventure. Here are some pictures from my recent 2011 Endorsement Photo Shoot...





Jarritt Sheel - Getzen Artist


(Insert Signature Here)

2011 Year in Review

MAN oh MAN oh MAN...


What can I say,... I am dumb struck and in awe by the powerful lesson and awe inspiring opportunities that have been afforded me this year. Its amazing how powerful prayer, supplication, and belief in God is. I'm reminded daily of how great God is, and more so of the power of action and how faith is dead without it. 2011 has been a freakin' great year. The old people say better and better... and gooder and gooder LOL. I know that isn't correct but.. there is something to say about down home vernacular. It cuts to the heart of the matter, and doesn't waste time BS'ing around it. 


This year started with hopes and reams , very much like every other year... BUT something was different this year. I was given grace to become a Getzen Artist (I'm endorsed to perform on the Genesis 3003s Bb trumpet and 3895 Flugelhorn) and I got an additional job as jazz staff at Edgewater High School, working with Bruce Green and his fabulous kids. So, now I'm blessed to be working with young people at Valencia College(Music History  -Associate Adjunct Faculty) University of Central Florida (African American Studies - Adjunct Faculty) Ocoee High School & Edgewater High School as associate faculty. I feel blessed to still be performing and teaching all at the same time. I'm blessed to still be a member of the two time Grammy award winning Winston Rodney aka Burning Spear's Young Lion Band (Nine Fest Mar 3, 2012 & SummerJam Jul 2012), and performing with groups like Lane & Company, young artist like KG Omulo. I still have my own group called the BLU-TET where we perform great live music (jazz, hip-hop, blues, soul, rock).


I have healthy relationships with family and friends, and love sharing time with my gorgeous wife Antonia. She is really the most awesome person I know and I'm glad to have her as a fellow adventurer in this thing we all call life. God has truly blessed me with a good thing and she is truly the central focus of this operation. I build everything I have around my family. I look at music and my profession as a teacher to help better society my community and create income to provide for my growing family. I never look at art as more important than my family. God comes first, then family, and then Music & Art. 


I know that I burn the candle at five or six different ends... yes... I know there are only two ends... LOL. I figure ... as my pastor says... when I leave this earth I want to be greeted by God ... saying "...Well done good and faithful servant. You did much with the talent and energy I provided you with.."  So, I'm working all this to become a better me and helping other people become a better them. 2012 will also become a huge first for me. 


I'm hoping to get accepted in a doctorate program up in NYC. Hopefully it will happen and I will soon be on my way to becoming Dr. Sheel and join company with my wife Antonia who will be the first in my families... the Sheel name to carry that moniker. I'm excited... I'm the first American born Somli in my dad's side of my family with a advance degree in music and I am definitely taking a different path in life most ...if not all of my family. I'M NOT AFRAID! (declares the crazy guy). I'm ready for the roller coaster and the bumpy ride associated with advancement and progress... because real progress never ever comes with out something you must face. I'm ready for it. I've come too far down the line to turn around now. 


I'm looking forward to recording this semester and putting together my own EP. So please be on the look out!! All of these amazing things happening in the world have made me see the world for what it truly is... what ever you make it. In turn that really means that 2012 is going to be Oprah final show bananas! I'm excited and so should you be!

Getzen Endorsement 2011

"A Poem for Antonia"

I wrote this poem several years ago for a special lady that I married. Antonia is her name and I'm glad I get to spend everyday with her.




POEM aka "A Poem for Antonia"

This day and Time
Tippy toeing down the stairs
SHE began to realize
The world was a bigger place
It wasn't small as a bread box nor big as the universe
But big all the same
SHE stared in the mirror
And peered into HER own eyes
Pupils widening with transfixed glare
Listening to a kettle boiling over

SHE turns HER attention to the willows outside of HER window
Contemplating opening the glass SHE is looking thru
Hooked in place SHE is
Like a 160 pound marlin off the coast of New Guinea
The rhythm of the weeds is reeling HER in
The thicket waves to HER
Mocking HER
The sound of waves crashing invites HER in
Mesmerizing HER and hypnotically putting HER in a trance
SHE finally wakes up
Standing on the edge of reality and allusion
One foot here and one foot there
SHE steps forward into the light

SHE blinks and blinks
Blinks, blinks, blinks, blinks...
And then carefully widens here glance to see the beach
Waters sparkling and salty smells of brine and fresh air swirling all around
Delighting HER nose
Sunshine beaming down on HER
At that very moment SHE realizes that the WORLD was a bigger place than she once believed
It is bigger than a bread box and smaller than the universe
SHE is okay with that


This is a original poem. I hoped you liked it. Peace and God Bless! 
Sincerely, 


(Signature here)

Jarritt A. Sheel 

RSA Animate - Changing Education Paradigms

DIGITAL JOURNEY(Nov. 18 & 19, Dec. 16, 2012)

SUNDAY NIGHTS...(YAY!!!!)

Dear Life, 

I welcome you back Life... how I have missed you. As my wife and I start to claim you back more and more each day... I think just a couple of more weeks til Thanksgiving or Christmas break. Life... or rather sleep ... we welcome you into our home once again. Thank you God... for blessing us with work and opportunity. We ask that you continue to strengthen our bodies, mind and soul for the tough, easy and prosperous times ahead. In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Seriously,...

That is how we roll in the Sheel household. We are so blessed and have to keep it real and positive everyday. God bless you all

Robert Glasper - Jazz was the Hiphop of it's Day

Quality Women - KG Omulo

PLEASE SUPPORT ORIGINAL ARTIST LIKE K.G. OMULO

The BLU-TET @ Natura Coffee & Tea November 18, 2011

The BLU-TET @ Underground Bluz November 19 & December 16, 2011

The BLU-TET @ Underground Bluz November 19 & December 16, 2011

Branford Marsalis on improvisation @ JAM CAMP

Tightrope (Wondamix) [Feat. B.o.B and Lupe Fiasco]

2012 is going to be bigger than we can imagine... stay tuned

Quality Women - KG Omulo (JARRITT SHEEL on Trumpet)

GETZEN Endorsement 2011

Theo Croker "Water No Get Enemy "

Weekly Address: Time to Act on the Transportation Bill

I am fearfully and wonderfully made

Psalm 139

King James Version (KJV)

Psalm 139

 ¹O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
 ²Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
 ³Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
 ⁴For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
 ⁵Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
 ⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
 ⁷Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
 ⁸If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
 ⁹If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
 ¹⁰Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
 ¹¹If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
 ¹²Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
 ¹³For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
 ¹⁴I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
 ¹⁵My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
 ¹⁶Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
 ¹⁷How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
 ¹⁸If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
 ¹⁹Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
 ²⁰For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
 ²¹Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
 ²²I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
 ²³Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
 ²⁴And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

GETZEN Endorsement 2011

The Jazz Messengers - Alone Together

I'm Thankful...

I am reminded almost daily, and a matter of factly (no such word, but I like it) several times a day that I live and have led a very interesting and blessed life. I look at my photos and scrap books and think to myself thank you God for giving me such a wealth of experiences to look back on. You never ever left me nor forsake me. I look forward to each and everyday to see what wonders and miracles you will reveal to me. SO, now the question is.."how do you awake everyday? Regardless of my pain or troubles, I have to say thank you for another day and lift my voice up in praise. There are thousands of people each day that can't do that. 


I'm glad to have a wonderful loving family that I want to provide for each day, a passion called art (music, photography) that helps even me out, a gorgeous wife that I'm more and more attracted to each day, and friends-family-students that keep me humble. That is why I have no fear... if you know me well you will continuously  be reminded that I pretty much have no fear of the unknown... I'm actually excited by it most times. That's what keeps me young and adds excitement and vigor into my life. So I say...


I'm a dreamer, an advocate for change, a supporter of the arts, & a leader of a creative revolution. I'm the place where jazz meets hip-hop. -Jarritt Sheel '09

Oooohhh... how I miss doing photography