I'm looking forward to speaking at the #AFAR Music Conference tomorrow. I'll be talking about the steelpan and its place in the the music industry and education.
Great times were had this weekend in Miami with my brothers in music and spirit
@dionparson @ronblakemusic @eltipo79 @sherlokmodi @faye_sing_sing #KennyDavis @robertthomas.j @dionjparson and my beautiful love @see_chelle_photos
Anthony Nelson broke out this arrangement of Misty at Clement’s Place last year. Misty was the first standard I learned and I remember going to sit in with some seasoned players from St. Thomas and being told “you really have to learn the changes next time”. Encouragement but TRUTH always… no wink and nod and smile and let me walk away thinking I sound good when I don’t… that’s how my mentors rolled with me…
Some of you know I was lucky to study with the legendary Charlie Banacos. It’s an honor to be part of this project by Garry Dial and Rich DeRosa and to have contributed this track to the record which features so many of Charlie’s former students. We’ve reimagined some of Charlie’s exercises as unique compositions. This one features the incomparable Dick Oatts @oattsnotes and soprano saxophone and some beautiful drumming by @mzdrums
Link in my bio for preorder
Looking forward to this weekend at the 2023 MAD Jazz Festival! I’ll have some hitters with me - @alexbrownmusic @therealblakemeister @bhampden @billywilliamsdrums !!!
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Plus check out this crazy lineup for the weekend!!!! @etiennejazz @jeanbaylor @marcusbaylor7 @johndearthjazz @jefftainwatts @hidescorpiomoon ++++
Shoutout to the @recordingacademy and special thanks to @drchelseygreen and @alexbrownmusic 🙌🙌
#IAmTheAcademy
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Also check out @christosraf new record, HOME.
*TRIGGER WARNING* NSFW
I had an amazing time with the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra on Tuesday night - I’m so glad it was recorded and can’t wait to see the footage.
I was talking to the bandleader, Vance Thompson after the gig about the particular instrument I play and how connected I feel to it - how it’s a one-of-kind, irreplaceable piece. Kyle Dunleavy built it 9 years ago and it immediately changed my sound and melodic concept. It’s been to many continents, played and recorded with GRAMMY winners, made some of my favorite records.
Unfortunately American Airlines completely destroyed this individualistic, hand crafted instrument, despite it being secure in a rugged travel case. The case was also heavily damaged, as it it was run over by a vehicle, impaled by a forklift or torn apart in some kind of pneumatic press.
I’ll take what’s left of it to Kyle next week to see if there is any way it can be repaired, but there is a good chance that the concert in Knoxville was the last one for this instrument.
They just destroyed it and handed it back to me as if nothing had happened. No note, no sticker, nothing.
I made a “damaged item” claim - I’ll get “a response in 21 weeks”. 😒
If there is a silver lining, it’s that this happened on the way BACK from the gig, and I’d already planned some “time off for the holidays”…
So with that, I wish you all the Happiest Holidays, full of laughter, joy, music, dancing, and Love. I’m counting all of my abundant blessings as we start to close out the year 2022. See you soon!