Jazz Icons House Saved From Foreclosure By Donations From Fans

Posted in Foreclosures, July 4th, 2008 |

The beating drums of jazz spread the news that the Ernestine Anderson, the four times Grammy nominated singer was about to lose her house in Seattle to foreclosure. One by one the strings in the hearts of her admirers stirred. The Jazz icon’s house has been saved, for the time being, from donations from her fans and friends.

Eleanor Rubie donated a cheque of $10 tucked inside the picture of songbird. She wrote ‘Dearest Ms. Anderson I hope this helps. … Keep singing on.” Fred Freeman of Arlington came forward to auction an old photograph of Anderson that had been taken decades ago when she was giving a performance in Bellevue Community College. The enraptured listeners had sung along with her. Over the weekend many benefits were held. Dozens of admirers deposited their contribution with the Bank of America to help her meet her $45,000 debt. The deadline date was Monday.

Fortunately this spontaneous gesture worked. Till late Monday $50,632 had come in said Carmen Gaytop of Windermere. She and her husband Carver organized this operation to help the elderly legendary singer. The amount was enough to pay off her debt and put a hold on foreclosure on her house situated in Central Area.

The next step will be used the extra money to question the legality of $5,000 monthly payment that raises eyebrows and doubts. Experts in mortgage matters together with leaders of the community are scrutinizing the mortgage documents to check if she had become a prey to predatory lending. Right now she has got a breathing time.

A jubilant Anderson said that she was simultaneously relived, elated as well as humbled. “You have no idea what it feels like to know people care.” She opined that Seattle has always been special in its efforts to come forward on its own to help. What amazed her was the “range of people” who responded – from blue-collar workers anxious to offer few dollars to music legends like Quincy Jones who were one of the first to make contributions. Jazz music star Diane Schuur was not far behind with her contribution telling Anderson “We’ve got to help each other.” The days are indeed tough and one should stand together.

The lesson to be learnt from this episode is how easy it is for one to slip into financial waters and drown in foreclosures. Two things are responsible – mismanaging income and the predatory lending.