The thing about greed

The

the thing

the thing about

the thing about greed

the thing about greed is

the thing about greed is that

the thing about greed is that it doesn't

the thing about greed is that it doesn't share

the thing about greed is that it doesn't share or

the thing about greed is that it doesn't share or even

the thing about greed is that it doesn't share or even care.

New York jazz

I guess I hadn't really heard jazz
until I heard it in New York
I mean I have the records
I have the tapes
I know all the clubs in the area
I read the books, bios
I follow the news, magazines
but when you walk those concrete streets
clippity clop clippity clop
and you squeeze into those jam-packed clubs
Birdland
Blue Note
Jazz Standard
Village Vanguard
there's a legacy
there's an honor
there's a precedence
you get a picture no show can give you
life is hard
and in New York you hear it
be a bop a zippity zoop
a be a boo op a zee
za zee a la oo op
New York is where pastel turns to photography.

Get it

Get it

Get it
got it
done

over.

nervous

nervous

okay i'm nervous
but isn't everyone at one point in their life
and if they aren't don't they get a bit scared
of the end?

The light shines on

The light shines on

Let us be warriors

let us shine on

let us be who we are
who we're meant to be

no one can stop us

the light shines on.

So what

So what

So what

you aren't from the same place
don't share the same taste
don't share the same face

you share the same dreams
share the same moon beams
share the same smile that gleams

and it's beautiful.

Lonely in a crowd

Lonely in a crowd

I always want to say
that that moody feeling
is loneliness

but I know that's untrue

for I can feel even more lonely
surrounded by people.

Focus on the positive

Focus on the positive 

What's the worst thing
that can happen
when we all focus on the
positive?
We didn't get the job
and we smiled too much?

Light

Light

The world seems to light
up with the joy of thousands
of men living life.

Danilo Perez

Watch the Children of the Light trio perform:

Inspired by the World Premier of Danilo Perez's Detroit World Suite at the Detroit Jazz Festival on September 6th. 

To be me

To be me

It kept me awake at night
that quest to be something
no not in a prideful way
as nothing truly great ever comes from
but in a personal way
that way that just tugs at your heart
and itches at your soul
that quest to be something
to be anything to be everything
to be me.

Steve Turre/ Rahsaan Roland Kirk birthday celebration

Inspired by the Steve Turre/ Rahsaan Roland Kirk birthday celebration with special guest James Carter at the Detroit Jazz Festival on September 6th.

Beautiful

Beautiful

There is nothing so

beautiful than to hear a

song out of the blue. 

Pat Metheny

Inspired by seeing Pat Metheny at the Detroit Jazz Festival on September 4th. 

I dream of islands

I dream of islands

I dream of islands
far away today and dream
of home sweet home now.

Elan Trotman

Listen to Elan Trotman play, "Funkalypso":

Inspired by Elan Trotman at the Springfield Jazz Festival August 8th.

Spinning Wheel

Spinning Wheel

As life goes round and
round I can't help but feel part
of a spinning wheel.

Dr. Lonnie Smith

Listen to Dr. Lonnie Smith play, "Spinning Wheel":

Inspired by Dr. Lonnie Smith at the Springfield Jazz Festival

Swing

Swing

Swing

it's the thing

that sets the night

fiery with light. 

Michel Camilo

Watch Michel Camilo play, "On Fire":

Inspired by Michel Camilo at the Newport Jazz Festival on August 2nd. 

They came

They came

What we all share in
common on this small little earth
is that I, you, her, him, we, they
came from another place
hoping, longing for a space
under the sun for everyone.

Arturo O'Farrill's Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra

Listen to Arturo O'Farrill's Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra play, "They Came":

Inspired by seeing Arturo O'Farrill's Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra at the Newport Jazz Festival August 2nd.

Home

Home

Home is where the heart
is where the music sings where
the body dances.

Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra 

Inspired by seeing the Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra playing "Home" at the Newport Jazz Festival August 1st.

To get up there

To get up there

To get up there
to get up there with all your might
takes guts, gusto, heart for what's right.

Chris Botti

Listen to Chris Botti play, "Emmanuel":

Inspired by seeing Chris Botti at the Newport Jazz Festival July 31st.

Dance

Dance

Only dance can tell
you how your body moves, how
music flows through you.

Helen Sung

Watch Helen Sung play, "Armando's Rhumba":

Inspired by seeing the Helen Sung Quartet at the Newport Jazz Festival August 1st.

Roll call

Roll call

It's as if we walk
with ghosts shivering
down our spines gently
moving in the wind and
whispering us our dreams
as we roll call for those absent.

Ambrose Akinmusire Quartet

Listen to Ambrose Akinmusire:

Inspired by seeing the Ambrose Akinmusire Quartet at the Newport Jazz Festival on July 31st.

When I see those cats

When I see those cats

When I see those cats
I can't help but wanna bounce,
swing, scat, sway away.

Hiromi

Watch Hiromi play, "Place To Be":

Inspired by the Michel Camilo/Hiromi Piano Duets at the Newport Jazz Festival August 2nd.