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Celebrating Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood 51st Anniversary
I had the honor of playing on Mister Rogers’ show in 1986. Never before or since, have I interacted with a staff that was as enthusiastic, complimentary, and fired up about their boss. From the airport to the studio each and every person gushed about Fred’s human qualities. And they weren’t at all exaggerating. Keep reading »
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In memory of Kofi Annan
A man of intelligence, humor and grace. A man with a big big heart. A trumpeter for humanity and a believer in our ascendancy through collective creativity. (I hope he doesn’t play the trumpet for the archangel Gabrielle) Keep reading »
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The soul quotient in the world is lower today.
Absolute and thorough soul through and through. Not just the Queen of song, Ms. Aretha Franklin was a fount of great stories delivered with downhome wit, intelligence and incredible insight. The soul quotient in the world is lower today. Keep reading »
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To all who were generous to post comments about a tweet from my interview with Jonathan Capehart
1. When someone makes a general comment and does not say ALL, it is assumed that they mean some. 2. I am not an expert on any form of music, including my own, but have a considered opinion and have the right to express it. Keep reading »
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Our young people showing love, respect, and appreciation for their band directors
After three days of rehearsals, masterclasses, and sectionals, tasting Manhattan’s nightlife, listening to 14 other bands, playing excellently on difficult music under the pressure of competition, and an award presentation and concert that lasted from 7:30pm to 11 pm, this is what kids felt about the investment of their band directors and their collective families. Keep reading »
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This is a story about an exchange I had with Sarah Vaughan when playing with Boston Pops
I want to express gratitude and thanks to all of the parents and kids and young musicians and trumpeters and (not as young) folks that I have had the honor of meeting, talking to, teaching and learning from down through these many years. These voluminous interactions have defined a large portion of my life and have been so filled with warmth, love and basic human feeling that there is no way to convey the depth of my appreciation. Keep reading »
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Jazz in Marciac, Happy 40th Anniversary
As a New Orleanian, I am a non-French speaking extended family member of France. As a trumpeter, I began studying from the book of Frenchman Jean Baptiste Arban at 6 years old, and still today, strive to play his exercises correctly. I am also honored to be one of the many descendants of the great virtuoso Maurice André whose sparkling playing inspired a world of trumpet players to pursue excellence. Keep reading »
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There’s nothing like a good 11-hour flight for someone who hates to fly
Our travel from Prague to Shanghai, China was long and smooth. There’s nothing like a good 11-hour flight for someone who hates to fly. And nothing like a stressful, uncomfortable environment to inspire wholesale concentration on some tedious detail-congested work. I started working on my Blues Symphony score that I tinker with every summer as a hobby, but little did I know that the presence of this score would have benefits far beyond its contents. For about nine strong hours, it helped me to forget that we were on an airplane. Keep reading »
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Many unusual and uplifting things can happen in a short span of time
It’s 1 A.M. in Zhengzhou China, and I’m wide-awake. Because we go from city-to-city at home, and country-to-country abroad, many unusual and uplifting things can happen in a short span of time. It can be especially difficult to digest your experiences across what is often a combination of space and time. Keep reading »
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This past weekend, Rose Hall was buzzing with the spirit and music of the ‘60s
This past weekend, Rose Hall was buzzing with the spirit and music of a tumultuous, redefining period in our history known as the ‘60s. A decade characterized by innocence and cynicism, conformity and counterculture, the ‘60s had equal parts promise and heartbreak. Walter Blanding curated and directed two concerts that focused on a crucial issue that dominated our national life in the ‘60s - the subject and meaning of freedom. Now is a great time to examine this concept because our collective political disengagement and impotence has allowed the ruse of “security” to divert our attention from what freedom actually requires of us. Keep reading »
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