Honey Bees, 

Music has always been the language of my life.

For as long as I can remember, the traditions of Blues, Jazz, and Gospel have shaped my voice, my purpose, and my path. I grew up surrounded by the legacy of musicians who poured their hearts into their craft. My father was a saxophonist who spent more than twenty years performing with the legendary B. B. King and previously served as bandleader for Bobby “Blue” Bland for sixteen years. Music wasn’t just something that was listened to in my home with my mother (who was a jazz vocalist & dancer), it was something we lived.

But life has a way of writing stories we never expect.

Today, I’m honored to share that I am now a published contributing author in two powerful collaborative books that explore the depth of human experience through storytelling.

The first is Voices of Care: Real Stories to Inspire, Uplift, and Unite Caregivers, compiled by Carl J. Powell. This heartfelt anthology brings together personal stories from caregivers who have supported loved ones through illness, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other life-altering challenges.

My chapter in the book is titled “I’m Not a Nurse,” and it appears as Chapter 6.

In this chapter, I share the story of caring for my father during one of the most vulnerable seasons of his life. Like many family members who suddenly find themselves stepping into the role of caregiver, I discovered that love sometimes asks us to become something we never expected to be.

Caregiving is a journey filled with long nights, uncertainty, and emotional weight. Yet it is also filled with profound love, compassion, and moments of quiet strength that remind us of the resilience of the human spirit.

I am also honored to be part of another upcoming collaborative book titled Lanterns in the Dark: Stories of Survival, Scars, and Light. The introduction to this book is written by filmmaker and author Betsy Chasse.

My chapter in this book is titled “The Steal,” and it appears as Chapter 4.

This story explores another deeply personal chapter of my life—one that speaks to survival, truth, and the power of reclaiming your voice even in the darkest moments.

In many ways, writing these chapters felt similar to singing the Blues. The Blues has always been about telling the truth of life—the struggles, the perseverance, the heartbreak, and the healing. Writing allowed me to express those truths in a different way, but with the same intention: honesty, courage, and connection.

Becoming a published author feels like a natural extension of my work as a vocalist and storyteller. Whether through music or the written word, my mission has always been the same—to share truth, preserve legacy, and connect heart to heart.

I am deeply grateful to stand alongside the many courageous authors who contributed their voices to these collections.

And this is only the beginning of a new chapter.

With gratitude,

Habaka KFJ
“The Panther of Cremona, Italy”
International Blues, Jazz & Gospel Vocalist
Author | Storyteller

Books Featuring Habaka KFJ

Voices of Care — Chapter 6: “I’m Not a Nurse”

Lanterns in the Dark — Chapter 4: “The Steal”