Lincoln center Jazz Orchestra's Trumpet section at the Kravis Center in Palm Beach, FL 

LCJO...I got to sit backstage ......

I must admit membership has it's privileges. I am not a member, but Vince gardner is one. I can't believe that last night, I actually.... got to sit backstage with Vince Gardner, Ryan Kisor, Marcus Printup, Wynton, Walter Blanding, Victor Going, Herlin Riley, and the list goes on and on. I believe these next set of pictures that I will put on my blog will can it forever....LOL....Well for awhile atleast.

It was great chilling and talking with my idols,... people like Marcus Printup and Ryan Kisor. It was also my pleasure to meet the man subbing for the man himself, Mr. Marsalis. Mr. James Zollar is from Kansas City and a ridiculously good trumpet player, soloist, and musician. I got to speak with him for a couple of minutes last night and I said, " I look down the trumpet section, and saw you, and was like who is this guy playing like that?" He laughed and said thanks. overall everyone was a delight to meet and the Ghanian Drummers were super cool too. I felt at home listening to the african patterns and listening to their singing. the writing of Mr. Marsalis is getting to that next level. It has always been great, but he has alleavated, and become a great composer.

I think, all and all it was a great experience for everyone, and if not for everyone, atleast one. That one would be me. Talk to you all soon!

Two screwdrivers........to the head. That should be a drink I think....LOL...what would we name it though? 

Kenny Garrett quartet live at UNF 2005 

Derrick Jackson on trombone at the Warehouse 2004. Congratulations on the engagement man.  

(L-R) Matt Verberg & Chris Burns acting like fools X-mas Brass 2004 

Disney's Ale House 2004 L-R (Josh Parson, Jarritt Sheel, Collin Moos, Gustavo Rodriguez, Ben Classon) & in memorium Dave Torres..pinkys up) 

Greetings,....I hope that everyone who stops by and checks out my blog is doing well. I am having more fun than I probably have ever had in my life right now. I pray that the good times continue. I also pray for both you and your families. God Bless and support local music. Peace!  

This is Serious....a dual release...Roy Hargrove, I don't think that people are ready for this. This one recording...may very well....create unbalance in the universe. It may cause this part of the universe to be unstable due to the huge amounts of soul & funk contained in this CD. Roy Hargrove Quintet-Nothing Serious 

This is going to be that funk for real....I can feel it. This is a burner, meaning that my friends are going to beg me to burn this one from me next week. RH factor-Distractions 

I just had to tell the world that Keyshia Cole and I are in love....LOL. I just like her for some reason and I think she is very pretty. Look at her...... (she... is... so hot)......can you blame me ? 

Let us not forget Roy.... 

I recently purchased the King CD by T.I. I was absolutley floored by how much I actually enjoyed listening to this CD. It had great production value and the lyricism of the artist was high level. I enjoyed it alot, and that is amazing ...in this time and era of fast food type music going on. Even though hip-hop was founded on sampling good music from other genres....today it has become stagnant. King is not a revolutionary recording, but it is a great CD of good music. I would let this one ride if i had it in the stereo. Those of you who know me well, can appreciate that comment. King is certifiably good and I think the XXL magazine was correct in giving this CD such a high rating.  

T.I. I'm a king....folk.... 

(Yellow rose)....Purpose is important, but always remember to take time out and smell the roses in life! 

Me and my axe...tried and true friend...she is always ther when I need her...through thick and thin...especially the thin...LOL! I love her...if that is possible...!?! 

Hip-Hop...I love her...! Black culture.... is very beautiful! 

Who is that off in the distance....? Is that the easter bunny...nah....LOL! I had a great birthday! Thanks a bunch...for everyone's calls! 

Hi there mom,....after easter Morning services at church. Love you mom 

Clifford Brown is my hero

In a day and time when there are few, and far between, people that we can call heroic or heros, Clifford Brown still stands as a individual among giants. He was and still is a Titan among men and a genius among artist. His melodic thinking will forever remain a benchmark in jazz history. Even though Clifford was killed in a car accident at such a young age he will go down in history as a consumate musician and person.

The first trumpet player that I fell in love with was Clifford Brown, Pops was the first musician that popped my musical cherry I had just begun taking trumpet lessons the end of my 11th grade year in high school (around '92). I was going through the record collection that my mother had at home and saw a origianl print of the Brownie Eyes LP( which later was lefted in a hot car during summer and melted ...such a mistake). I had to have listened to the record like........ 30 times..........in a row! For a kid raised on hip-hop, soul and funk that was a great feat. I was mesmerized by his technical facility, soulfulness and the way he could dance all round the horn,.....you know what I mean? The man was so thorough, and clean. You almost wanted to hear him mess up a little...LOL. Just to know that he was really human. I imagined how this guy looked, and little did I know that he was this little mousy looking guy with a big heart. He wasn't really a looker, but who cared about that. He was a certified GENIUS.

As I listen, now a days, to the great turmpet players of the day, you can clearly hear the connection between the trumpet lineages. It began with King Oliver, then Pops, Eldrige, Fats, Dizzy, Clifford, Lee, Woody& Freddy, etc... It goes on forever. I like it that way. It is a curious thing this organism called music. It will never die, and like the phoenix at the 9th hour when all hope is lost it will reinvent itself and come from out of the ashes. It is wonderous, at times to me, how that happens over and over again. It was here before us and will reamin here after all of us. It is DEVINE. You hear me DEVINE! It is not from here on earth, and I believe that it has greater purpose than for our private entertainment. Read any religious literature and you will see how devine it really is.

I am a musician and the other day I had a epiphany that could not be ignored for anything at all. I realized that I was doing music for the connection to GOD. I wanted to create a connection with GOD thru something that could never really be tainted by people. It is nuetral like the SWISS. I know, the better I get on my horn, as a musician and writing I will be able to unfold the mysteries of the universe. I see why these cats started to drink and smoke, shoot up and do dope. It is a heavy thing, this organism called music, to live with. When you really start to see things change and the devinity in it all. You start to see God's hand direct you and it kinda overloads your mind and body. It is supernatural! I don't think I'm necessarily supernatural, but I feel it through the music, and I have experienced some of the supernatural. I love it, and I'm kinda scaried at the same time.

One thing I know is that once I begin a journey I don't believe in turning around for anything. I have seldom been disappointed unless I built it up to be too much.Music can never be like that. Music is bigger than us all. I will be seeking it out forever. It is in me and part of me. I love it and will continue to seek out the spirits of Pops, Clifford, Dizzy, Woody, Miles, and Nat. These are some of my heros and I hope that I will be somebodies one day! Peace!