Tesalyn Zizzy-Mustatia
April 10, 1984 - September 21, 2001
My daughter Tess has inspired much of my writing, and continues to guide me silently in my life. She Was Fire was the first of several songs on my 2009 album Woman in Black inspired by her: Rock Bottom, Because of You, Special Days, Brand New Day, I'm Movin' On, and Still Smiling recorded on my 2016 album Standing on a Platform of Kindness. I have been fortunate to have had songwriting to help me through this journey. I hope that my music provides others with strength, inspiration, and hope. Many of the lyrics come from a place of sadness, and attempt to seek meaning while making the best of the worst situation, but most of all, they look for ways to find lost our smiles and move on.
April 10, 1984 - September 21, 2001
My daughter Tess has inspired much of my writing, and continues to guide me silently in my life. She Was Fire was the first of several songs on my 2009 album Woman in Black inspired by her: Rock Bottom, Because of You, Special Days, Brand New Day, I'm Movin' On, and Still Smiling recorded on my 2016 album Standing on a Platform of Kindness. I have been fortunate to have had songwriting to help me through this journey. I hope that my music provides others with strength, inspiration, and hope. Many of the lyrics come from a place of sadness, and attempt to seek meaning while making the best of the worst situation, but most of all, they look for ways to find lost our smiles and move on.
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Tessa's Memorial Mural
2800 Block 13th Avenue, Regina, SK
I would like to express my family's gratitude to Tess's friends who so freely and painstakingly created this memorial mural in Regina's Cathedral neighborhood in her honor. Although the design work took several months, the actual painting of the mural took place as part of the 2003 Cathedral Arts Festival, the same festival during which I made my debut as a solo artist at the first annual Soul Sisters’ concert. The mural was a work of love, as was Tess.
All things come to an end, and Tessa's mural did as well, as the building was torn down and a new business built has now been built on the site . Although we were sad to see her memorial leave, as were many in the community who had come to love it, the timing for it to end was somewhat remarkable. As it turned out, Tessa's mural had a life on 13th Avenue of 18 years. That is the same amount of time that she too was alive. That is a beautiful closure to this chapter.
2800 Block 13th Avenue, Regina, SK
I would like to express my family's gratitude to Tess's friends who so freely and painstakingly created this memorial mural in Regina's Cathedral neighborhood in her honor. Although the design work took several months, the actual painting of the mural took place as part of the 2003 Cathedral Arts Festival, the same festival during which I made my debut as a solo artist at the first annual Soul Sisters’ concert. The mural was a work of love, as was Tess.
All things come to an end, and Tessa's mural did as well, as the building was torn down and a new business built has now been built on the site . Although we were sad to see her memorial leave, as were many in the community who had come to love it, the timing for it to end was somewhat remarkable. As it turned out, Tessa's mural had a life on 13th Avenue of 18 years. That is the same amount of time that she too was alive. That is a beautiful closure to this chapter.
My son Tanner Zizzy- Mustatia - adventurous, brave, dedicated lifelong learner, surfer, biker, world traveler, teacher, and nurse - continues to inspire me to be more humble and kind, as he evolves into the "simple man" described in the lyrics of the Lynyrd Skynard song of the same name that he once introduced me to as his favourite song. I later recorded my interpretation of Simple Man and dedicated it to him.
But he still has The Right Attitude , as I wrote in another song about him
"He works hard, he plays hard, takes life as it comes
He's got the right attitude, he'll never come undone"
And he will always be my baby, even when he's my age :)
But he still has The Right Attitude , as I wrote in another song about him
"He works hard, he plays hard, takes life as it comes
He's got the right attitude, he'll never come undone"
And he will always be my baby, even when he's my age :)
My husband Stan - my soul mate, best friend, lifelong traveling companion and adventurer, biggest music fan and supporter of every creative initiative I have ever had - is perhaps my biggest inspiration.
He is my rock, my heart and soul, my buddha.
I Think of You in Colours was written about him, while inspired by the colours of an endlessly beautiful Saskatchewan summer sunset.
Mary Prebushewski Zizzy
May 18, 1942 - November 13, 2006
My first musical inspiration, however, was my fashionable, singing, laughing, dancing, harmonica-and-mandolin playing mother, Mary Zizzy. To quote the lyrics from the song I wrote as a tribute to her, Remember Me, recorded on my EP If My Life Were a Song, “she’s the one who taught me to smile this way, she taught me how to laugh, and how to play”. She, like Tess, walks beside me now in silence. For these women in my life, I am forever grateful.
May 18, 1942 - November 13, 2006
My first musical inspiration, however, was my fashionable, singing, laughing, dancing, harmonica-and-mandolin playing mother, Mary Zizzy. To quote the lyrics from the song I wrote as a tribute to her, Remember Me, recorded on my EP If My Life Were a Song, “she’s the one who taught me to smile this way, she taught me how to laugh, and how to play”. She, like Tess, walks beside me now in silence. For these women in my life, I am forever grateful.
Alexander Zizzy
June 6, 1918 - May 25, 1974
Although I cannot credit my father for my musical attributes, he is undoubtedly responsible for the drive that has kept me running on full power, working on numerous projects simultaneously, somehow balancing a teaching profession, music career, family, and community involvement all my life. It is he who has given me this insatiable drive to learn as much as I can, and do whatever I do to the extreme best of my ability, often driving myself and others around me slightly crazy in the process. My perfectionist, ambitious, self-disciplined, incredibly responsible, extremely hard working, family oriented father. I think he deserves credit for the tall and thin genes as well. Thanks Dad.
June 6, 1918 - May 25, 1974
Although I cannot credit my father for my musical attributes, he is undoubtedly responsible for the drive that has kept me running on full power, working on numerous projects simultaneously, somehow balancing a teaching profession, music career, family, and community involvement all my life. It is he who has given me this insatiable drive to learn as much as I can, and do whatever I do to the extreme best of my ability, often driving myself and others around me slightly crazy in the process. My perfectionist, ambitious, self-disciplined, incredibly responsible, extremely hard working, family oriented father. I think he deserves credit for the tall and thin genes as well. Thanks Dad.