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‘Dorchester Dreams’ song a spirited and soulful tribute to the Eastern Shore

By Laura Walter
Posted 1/28/25

Sing a song of Dorchester. Capturing the warmth, talent and rich history of this region, “Dorchester Dreams” was crafted by rising R&B and soul artist, Jayla Elise.

The song just …

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‘Dorchester Dreams’ song a spirited and soulful tribute to the Eastern Shore

Posted

Sing a song of Dorchester. Capturing the warmth, talent and rich history of this region, “Dorchester Dreams” was crafted by rising R&B and soul artist, Jayla Elise.

The song just released in January, and Jayla Elise received enthusiastic applause after performing it at the Dorchester County “Water Moves Us” magazine release luncheon on Jan. 22 at Suicide Bridge Restaurant in Hurlock.

A relatively new resident to Dorchester County, Jayla is an independent artist who continues to carve her own path. At age 21, this singer-songwriter blends her rich musical background with inspiration from local Dorchester stories, life, beauty and welcoming spirit.

“She is an accomplished singer,” said Director of Tourism Holly Gilpin, who commissioned the song. “It’s sort of an eclectic indie sound. It’s acoustic guitar, a bit of the R&B.”

Dorchester County Office of Tourism has tapped into different genres to speak to different marketing demographics, last year embracing country-western, and this year commissioning the R&B/soul artist (which especially reflects Cambridge’s Groove City and jazz heritage).

Although Jayla Elise was inspired by Dorchester’s historical figures, her lyrics evoke atmosphere instead of a specific narrative. “It’s more of a feeling of what it’s like to be from this area, what it means to be near the water and what the water continuously brings,” said Gilpin. Plus, many towns are mentioned, big and small.

“Winding roads, they lead me home down by the shore, where the marsh runs with the tides … where the river runs free,” the lyrics say.

The Tourism team were delighted with the recorded song. “[It’s the] people who make us who we are,” Gilpin said. “She might not have been born in Dorchester County, but she made it her home, and it’s in her heart and soul.”

When songwriting, Jayla started with a feeling, then a rhythm, then a tune. Lyrics were crafted with precision, since “you’re talking about a place that people live in,” with many perspectives and passions. Finally, collaboration with her team at the music management group, Barzini Family, helped to shape the song’s direction, adding even more depth and emotional resonance.

Having recently relocated here, Jayla really wanted to capture the full essence of her adopted home. “The people here are incredibly welcoming, and there’s so much talent in this community. Everyone has their own story to tell, and that sense of connection made it easy for me to write ‘Dorchester Dreams.’ I wanted to capture the beauty of this place—both the landscape and the people—and what it means to call this area home.”

Like many, Jayla was amazed to learn that Dorchester’s history includes American heroes like Harriet Tubman, Ella Fitzgerald and many more. Immersing yourself in a culture is a choice, she said. “Dorchester Dreams” is so exciting because it could put this region on the map for so many people. “Let’s first give them the opportunity to learn about it … [then] step inside and watch how big things get.”

She’s genuine in her enthusiasm for the Eastern Shore, both personally and professionally. “There’s a lot of room,” to try new ventures, she said. “We truly believe that the Eastern Shore will be the next music hotspot.”

Learn more about Jayla Elise and hear “Dorchester Dreams” online at JaylaElise.com and online music streaming platforms.

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