# How a jazz vocalist Deborah Gilmore is singing to escape homelessness – I’m not going to give up: Video, Photos

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2022/09/11/how-a-jazz-vocalist-deborah-gilmore-is-singing-to-escape-homelessness-im-not-going-to-give-up-video-photos/
- Published: 2022-09-11T00:02:55+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**When Deborah Gilmore first fell into homelessness, it was a “shock” that thrust
her life into uncertainty. “Have you ever been in a situation where you’re traumatized
by something or by something that you just didn’t expect to happen?” the San Luis
Obispo resident asked. That’s what it was like coping with the daily reality of 
having no roof over your head. “You’re present, but your mind isn’t in the present,”
she said. **

Gilmore, however, wasn’t fully without options. In fact, one skill in particular
has served her well as she sees her way through what she calls her “plight”: music.
Get unlimited digital access Subscribe now for just $2 for 2 months. CLAIM OFFER
HOW SINGING PROVIDED A PATH OUT OF HOMELESSNESS Gilmore’s experience with homelessness
started several years ago in Santa Ynez Valley as a result of what she describes
as a private family issue that resulted in her losing her housing, after which she
moved to SLO to get back on her feet. Near the start of her stretch of homelessness,
Gilmore said she began to reconnect with her love of music while visiting a Santa
Barbara library. There, she was able to listen to some of her favorite artists, 
including Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole, Frank Sinatra and Al Jarreau, whom she called
a “huge influence” on her performances.

![In a bid to secure funds for housing, homeless jazz singer Deborah Gilmore  plays
the Fremont Theater on March 10 | Music | San Luis Obispo | New Times  San Luis 
Obispo](https://i0.wp.com/media2.fdncms.com/ntslo/imager/u/original/12142387/musicartsculture_music1-
2-5cc7a09ac41be890.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

“I thought, ‘Wow, this is what I’ve been missing: music,’ and it dawned on me,” 
she said. Today’s top headlines Sign up for Tribune Afternoon Headlines and get 
the day’s biggest stories in your inbox. SIGN UP This site is protected by reCAPTCHA
and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Several years ago, Gilmore
said she used to organize community events in her hometown of Santa Ynez, including
hiring musical acts and local performers.

With that realization, Gilmore said she began putting together a plan to get herself
in front of audiences and get an act together. She recruited Cal Poly music students
and local musicians to fill out her band, which provides live instrumentals to accompany
her vocals. Gilmore, who does not read or write music, said working with professionals
brings her “joy” because of their wide musical range. “They’re saying all this music
lingo (in rehearsals) and I’m just looking at them saying ‘So, when do you guys 
want me to come in?’” she said.

“I’m in heaven, because I’m singing everything I ever wanted to sing.” Since deciding
to pursue music, Gilmore has done more than 70 shows, performing at venues like 
The Fremont Theatre, Mama’s Meatballs and The Penny, usually charging $15 for a 
ticket. Now, Gilmore is starting a stretch of promotional shows leading up to one
of the biggest venues she’s had the chance to perform at: the Performing Arts Center
in San Luis Obispo on Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. “All this work for the last two years
has positioned me to now go take on something like the PAC,” Gilmore said. It just
means more sponsors — I’m doing the same thing I’ve been doing for two years, but
the bill is a little higher. I’ve got to increase my ticket sales and increase my
sponsorships, but what a grand stage — the work will be worth it all.”

COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES HELPED PROPEL GILMORE’S PERFORMANCES In a
world she believes has a “lack of compassion” for unhoused people, Gilmore said 
the SLO community has accepted her and her aspirations as a musician. When she became
homeless in SLO, she was alone, without the structured life she had grown up with
as part of a military family. “In the beginning, I didn’t know how to ask you for
help — I was too scared to ask,” Gilmore said.

“You’re the person that could feed me the data and the person that could help me
in some way. I didn’t know how to do that. “ Living day-to-day in hotels and temporary
living situations, Gilmore has put together income by panhandling and working to
promote her music career, calling herself an “entrepreneur homeless person.” Deborah
Gilmore is a local jazz vocalist who is experiencing homelessness. She’s using her
music to raise money and support while she looks for a home seen here Aug. 25, 2022.

![Homeless SLO jazz singer uses music to support herself | San Luis Obispo  Tribune](
https://www.sanluisobispo.com/latest-news/o3k45d/picture265143656/alternates/FREE_1140/
DSC02632)

David Middlecamp David Middlecamp@thetribunenews.com During the day, Gilmore often
moves around the community, hanging fliers for her next shows and forming connections
with local business owners to promote her performances.

Angela Arnold, manager of the Rocket Fizz candy shop in downtown SLO, said she was
happy to sponsor Gilmore, including allowing her to hang one of her promotional 
posters in the store window. She said her business has also helped Gilmore financially
in exchange for advertising the business at her shows. “It depends on each concert,
but I think we did a $200 donation, and she put our name on her flyer,” Arnold said.

Another local business owner, Mint & Craft’s Josh Ashby, said he’s been backing 
the performances since he first met Gilmore in 2021. He said his business has been“
happy” to sponsor Gilmore through donations, free meals and a space for her performances.“
The way she always talks about it is, ‘Hey, let’s help each other,’ which I really
appreciate,” Ashby said. “She looks down at it like it’s not just about me, it’s
also about you and your business.”

Gilmore has performed from Mint & Craft’s patio space for customers and passersby,
which Ashby said his customers have appreciated. “Everyone absolutely loves it,”
Ashby said. “She’s incredible, and she’s got such a presence of about her — I love
it — just this kind of energy she carries around the music.” Ashby said he’s “amazed”
by how many people and businesses in the SLO community have supported Gilmore during
her time as a performer. All of her promotion, Gilmore said, is done through word
of mouth and help from community members; that includes some 30 sponsors. “The more
that I’m doing these events, the more people chat up about it,” she said.

“It’s a small community, so the word will spread fast. Instagram has been super 
powerful.” On Gilmore’s Instagram — named @mobettajazzmusic in honor of director
Spike Lee’s 1990 film “Mo’ Better Blues” — she has amassed more than 600 followers,
who she keeps updated on her work and new shows. In the leadup to her performance
at the PAC, Gilmore is holding a series of promotional shows at businesses like 
Mint & Craft Sept. 4 and Ragtag Wine Co. Sept. 10 and Oct. 8, along with a show 
at Antigua Brewing Company on Sept. 25. Gilmore also said she takes donations on
GoFundMe to fund her upcoming event at the PAC.

MUSIC KEPT GILMORE’S MIND STRONG DURING THE WORST STRESSES OF HOMELESSNESS Gilmore
said the pressures of living in a state of constant instability has caused her trauma
and stress, enough that it’s impacted her physical health just as much as her mental
health. Prior to her period of homelessness and move to SLO, Gilmore had worked 
for around 30 years as a soccer referee at all levels of play, from high school 
to semi-professional men’s leagues in Santa Maria. She said her background in sports
made her mind and body strong enough to weather the worst of her experience with
homelessness.

“I don’t have a drug issue. I don’t have a mental issue, nor an alcohol issue,” 
she said. “I’m educated and right of mind. It’s been a blessing to be in right mind
in spite of this trauma.” Since becoming homeless, Gilmore has found shelter at 
night in motels and the homes of people who have opened their doors for her. Now,
as her music has become more successful, Gilmore said she has a chance to move into
more permanent housing in SLO County. “If a person can endure this type of living
for years, that shows the strength that we have as human beings, but it’s not what
we should be fighting for,” Gilmore said.

“This country can do better than that.” She said depending on the success of the
PAC event, she has a shot at being noticed by people who could connect her with 
larger opportunities. As those opportunities open up, travel to other cities, states
and countries may also be possible. In the short term, though, Gilmore has found
a place to live in Atascadero, which she hopes to move into soon. “This is how I’m
surviving, doing my music,” she said. “The music is saying to the world, ‘I’m not
going to give up.’

![Homeless SLO jazz singer uses music to support herself | San Luis Obispo  Tribune](
https://i0.wp.com/cf-images.us-east-1.prod.boltdns.net/v1/static/5596404784001/15c30683-
8b9a-4bdf-a214-774d5ef7fce2/649ed319-70b3-420b-a49a-517ed9e58aae/1280x720/match/
image.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

### _Related_