Cleveland Native Holds Benefit Concert for East Technical High School
By Julie Cajigas
Meeting Dr. E is an experience. Dr. Elaine Richardson has a deep enthusiasm for life and an emanating warmth that makes you feel instantly like part of her family. Both are obvious in the first few minutes. She has the sort of personality that bubbles over with wit, wisdom and humility all at the same time. The same is true of her music, which blends jazz and soul with dance rhythms and inspirational lyrics. It’s impossible to walk away from a Dr. E performance without an extra skip in your step and a feeling of empowerment. While she’s flirted with mainstream fame, Dr. E never forgets where she started and who helped her along the way. That’s why this weekend she’s putting on a benefit concert for her Alma Mater, East Technical High School, and their Scholarship Fund.
In fact, since there’s no better way to introduce her than to let her introduce herself! Take a moment and check out this Cool Cleveland’s 2011 exclusive interview with Dr. E.
On Sat 9/29, at 8 p.m. at the BYOU Club, 2573 Noble Rd., Cleveland Heights. Dr. E will be performing a benefit concert for her Alma Mater East Technical High School and their scholarship fund. Get your tickets today.
Education is something near and dear to Dr. E’s heart. Currently a Professor of Literacy Studies in the College of Education at the Ohio State University, the inspirational messages throughout her music come from her own journey through struggles to success. She is currently writing PGD 2 PhD, a memoir about her experiences in the street life and the journey that took her from living on the street to the halls of Cleveland State University as an English student, and ultimately to her current post at OSU. As a musician, an inspirational speaker and a writer, Dr. E’s mission is to encourage young girls and women to achieve their dreams no matter where they are from or what might be holding them back.
Those who attend Dr E’s benefit concert, co-sponsored by East Tech Class of ’78, will be treated to music from her recent album Elevated. With songs like “Good Girl Down,” “Let Me Clear My Throat,” and “My Everything,” the album is also something of a memoir. Elevated explores different aspects of her life and journey, form the jubilation of success to the hard work and hard times she had to overcome to find it. While her distinctive vocals have been compared to Erykah Badu and Macy Gray, Dr. E has a unique tone and soulful style all her own.
Cleveland’s own Jazzy Soul Queen is already overflowing with gratitude for those attending this benefit concert. “I want to thank all who have purchased their tickets,” she says in a recent Facebook post. “I really appreciate it. Also, the love you show me when I come to your job, your house, meet you in the parking lot, in the middle of the street… I love y’all so much.” Dr. E isn’t just talking to her closest family and friends in that message, she’s talking to all of her fans. Though, I’d guess if you asked her, she’d call her fans family and friends. Doesn’t that make you want to become a fan? If it does, I hope to see you at the show this Saturday.
To learn more about Dr. E or purchase her music, visit her website www.giveusfreerecords.com. Her tracks are available on iTunes, CD Baby and Amazon.com.
Dr. E’s benefit concert for East Technical High School is Sat 9/29 at the BYOU Club at 2573 Noble Road in Cleveland Heights. Get your tickets here today. Visit Dr. E’s website at www.giveusfreerecords.com or like her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Dr.EJazzySoulQueen.
Julie Cajigas is a Cleveland girl who grew up on the East & West Side and now lives near Akron – she’s got the whole town covered. Cajigas holds Bachelors Degrees in Communication and Music, along with a Masters in Applied Communication Theory and Methodology from Cleveland State University, and currently serves as a visiting lecturer in the The University of Akron’s School of Communication.
Cleveland Heights, OH 44121