There is a lot of talk about love today for some reason! LOL 

I have learned a lot about the different types of love over the years and to this day, I continue  to grow deeper in understanding for which I'm thankful. I'm very focused right now on the difference between selfish vs selfless. Parallels can also be drawn to like a jazz group, those that play for self or those that play for the good of the group. When one plays for self, I promise you the group does not sound good. Only people who understand their function and how to serve it selflessly will ensure a successful band or vice versa in a romantic relationship. 

The most selfless act of love ever demonstrated to human kind, was that of Jesus coming to earth, dying on a cross, taking the place of what I deserved, and overcoming that death, so we all may live eternally in Heaven if we choose to embrace this act of love. Love is never forced. It may have dire consequences to not choose this, but it wouldn't be love if God made you believe this. That's why there were two trees in the garden. You couldn't choose if there was only one. He's provided everything you need to have relationship with Him. I also believe opposition only exists if there is real truth. The devil is a deceiver  and does not want you to believer this. 

So with all this being said, I am thinking in a round about way, about my Father's celebration service. It was supposed to be a celebration of his life, but everything Dad wanted for this day, was to point to the goodness and love of Jesus. I have included it here. The picture above, was driving home from my Dad's celebration. It was just kind of a little wink if you will from God, giving me comfort that Pops made it to Heaven!

I also find it ironic that the tune most associated with me, (because it's always my go to when I have the choice to call the tune)  Is "No Greater Love". In the old days, there was romance in the songs written about love. (not so much anymore) Lyrics were poetry put to song. Any love song that presented such creative ways to discuss ones romantic feelings between a man and a woman, one could substitute your personal relationship with Jesus and instantly be in a moment of worship. 

So when I perform "No Greater Love", it is always in tribute to Jesus's incredible love for me. It was included one of the first LP's I ever bought and has sentimental memories and really developed my love for Sweets Edison. One more sidenote, I have a very important and sentimental performance coming up soon of this tune, which I will write more about in the future. I also was honored to play it with my friend the late Frank Mantooth and will always be thankful for that memory. I've also included one of my favorite, there are many, Fred Hammond tunes also entitled No Greater Love. 

Much love to you all! 
​

Nature always for me, is a direct worship response. I'm left with an only You God! When you start diving in on what you are seeing, that is only enhanced!  Thank you Lord for always letting me see such beauty and leaving me amazed! 

Check out my dear friend Alvin Chea and his narrations of all these videos in the John 10:10 project!

Just off the announcement of Wynton stepping down at Jazz at Lincoln Center, his creation,  in two years, the band will be on tour for the next week and a half here in MI. When The NY Times did the article, Lugi, who does Wynton's website, asked for stories to be sent in about Wynton. (As a side note, I believe Lugi has the greatest artist website ever for any artist. It is very detailed and I can get lost for hours on it.) So here on this particular blog , I'll update the week. I think I'm going to start another division of this website devoted to Wynton and all the concerts and experiences I've had for the last  40 years.  It will for sure be a work in progress! Stay tuned! 

The tour in MI started off with a concert yesterday at the Chenery Auditorium in Kalamazoo. My friend, Rev. Millard Southern , was responsible for not only bringing the band in but also for the discussion that happened today at Kalamazoo College. Millard is not only a Reverend but plays trumpet, but also is writing a book on Roy Hargrove, and doing a dissertation on Wynton. He's a busy guy! The band sounded great as always and the theme was Duke in Africa. It was nice to meet Jessica Williams, who student taught with my Father. It was also nice to see the Floreska family, Nigel just bought a flugelhorn from me and WMBI last week. I was going to get a lot more pictures but everyone came at once. I always feel bad in situations like that because I can't give the attention to everyone I want. I'll just say it was fun to see so many loved ones! 

First the day started cool sun moments. Then did road runs for West Michigan Band. Some of these country roads, I'm telling ya! LOL Then headed to my gig for the evening which was at the BOB. It was a benefit called soups on I think. LOL Every floor had events and bands and I was happy to play with two old buds Dave Collee who I call cuz even though we are not related and he spells his name different and my dear friend Eric Thorne who I lived with for a minute. My favorite drum group to play in is big bands but I have really been having fun with a trio in settings where I can take some chances and work some stuff out. I apologize to the band if it doesn't work out and nobody's listening in the audience  so I've been having fun and Eric has fun arrangements which I haven't  played in years. I included one from way back here that we played. I loaded in with my friend Paul Lesinski who was playing on another floor. They had a few sports items for auction. It was also very cool to see a classmate from high school I haven't seen probably since high school Jody Gray-Boucher. It was also nice to see Catherine Behrendt again. Her Father was one of my chaperones on my McDonalds Bands trips in high school. Lastly, met a new friend. I think his name is Kim Denton. Very rarely, venues will have people help you bring in your stuff to the gig. Kim did this for me, but he also stopped to listen to us and compliment us. Found out he used to do sound for Frank Sinatra. Thank you so much and pleasure to meet you Kim! 

It was fun to see so many people from all the different parts of my life at the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids. I was working the booth for West Michigan Band Instruments. It was the first time seeing so many people since my Dad passed so I received many nice comments. 

It's been fun going to hear Brother in Love Rick play with the GR Symphony the past few weeks. Rick is an amazing musician and has been lead horn for many years. This will be his last year and will be a big change but looking forward to what God has in store for him and my sister. Job well done Bro! I have many friends in the symphony and we are blessed to have a symphony of this caliber in our city. It was also nice to see my friend Avalon perform and she did awesome as always. It was also nice to share last night with most of the family that came out to support Rick. Afterwards we went to hear Elijah play and saw more friends. Community is a good thing! Last few pictures were not mine but my siblings. 

I've been subbing for Doc Sawyer the past few weeks and the next few weeks. The great thing about that is I get to play with nephew Elijah which doesn't happen to much anymore. I'll keep adding to this folder in coming weeks. It was fun to see my friend Cindy who used to cut my hair back in the day, and she would always put Wynton on the speakers for me! Now that's service!!! LOL 

It was nice to spend time with family and friends! I ended up hiking about 26 miles this week. Last hike was from Lookout Mt. in PHX, which was my first time there. Tough to come home to the cold but it wasn't brutal. 

Went for a hike off the peralta trail. A very bumpy 10 mile unpaved road was interesting. Then headed to see the weavers needle. Then ended the night seeing the Lewis Nash Organ Group! 

I had dinner with my friends Steve and Cynthia Phillips. Then went for a hike at the Usery Mountain Area. At sunset all the sudden all the coyote's starting howling which was pretty cool and a little scary. LOL 

Today's hike was Butcher Jones - Saguaro Lake. Another great time however, I twisted my foot pretty darn good .I've been having more dad moments as I remembered being here last year and FaceTiming him so he could be a part of my journey while he couldn't really get out and do much anymore and also knowing he loved nature. So I went to FaceTime and then remembered no more. I had a very nice dinner with my friends the Kirbys!! 

I only knew the obvious stories about Van Gogh and never really investigated him much. Sad he battled so many things but could relate with him on color and finding beauty everywhere. We have that in common. The last picture was painted by Talia. I think it was one of the things she did at a party before getting married with her family and friends or something but love the inscription on the bottom. 

The day started out sleeping in and then headed to lunch at of course In-N-Out hipped to me by Marcus Printup many years ago. Then off to Fort McDowell area for a little hike! From there I went to a Van Gogh experience which will be in the next post. Then off to my old stomping grounds of Papago Park for a hike. Then met up with my dear friend and world famous drummer Mr. Lewis Nash at his namesake institution The Nash, and then went for some Thai Food! A great and full Day. 

I flew to Phoenix on NYE. I've flown on NYE once before to New Orleans. You can see fireworks from many places if the time is right. This is a new thing living in MI we're usually in a blizzard or something! LOL It was 10 degrees when I took off with delays and landed at midnight and it was 60. I had a connecting flight in Atlanta. Many people on the plane had connecting flights like I did but did not leave much time for connecting and we were almost 2 hours late. So unfortunately, some people were going to be missing their parties and families because they were now spending the night in ATL. I always leave a lot of time between if I can! Got to PHX and a nice drive to Mesa and spent New Years Day with Talia's family cooking food to celebrate the New Year! My flight tracker was not working on the flight so a lot of cities that at the time knew what they were but now just some lights on land. I think maybe Tulsa, Memphis, ATL, PHX ?

Christmas 25 was for sure a different one without Dad being here. It went fine until a tradition my Dad started was continued by my sister and that was a little emotional for me but a nice reminder of Pops' sense of humor. As I mentioned to one of my nieces the very same things that make us laugh and smile are the same things that make us sad and cry. I more than ever want to spread the love of Jesus so I included the reason for the season and every day via Linus. A couple of Christmas' past, and a video of a Child is Born dedicated to Jesus. One of the major blessings win my life was being able to go to Israel and be at the birthplace of Christ! While it was also melancholy to not have Dad there, it was also nice to celebrate with Wells' first Christmas! 

The West Michigan Jazz Society asked me to write a little article on my Father's passing. Mine was a bit long for publication so I've included the very nice extract they had room for and then my original article. It was very nice of them to honor my Dad and at the Banquet had me and relatives of other members passing this year, light candles in their honor! Thank you WMJS!

Max Colley Jr. was a music educator for over 40 years at Northview High School. The program at Northview, was built by Max and was well rounded in all areas including Marching Bands, Concert and Symphonic Bands, and of course his Jazz Ensembles. Many awards were earned over the years by many various organizations that recognized the excellence achieved by Max’s work with the ensembles. Max was also proud of the music appreciation course he taught that was taken by hundreds of students over the years, in which most of those students were not part of the instrumental music program. It was not Max’s goal that students would go on to become musicians or directors, but that each student felt a sense of belonging and worth and they would go on to have a greater appreciation for the gift of music. With that being said, the legacy of Band Directors and musicians that were inspired Max is far reaching. 
Max graduated from Godwin HS and then attended Grand Rapids Junior College, and Calvin College. In 1985 he was the first teacher at Northview recognized by the school board for Exemplary Service. In 1988 he was awarded by the MSBOA as Band Teacher of the Year, as I type this, he is being inducted into the MCBA Hall of Fame, and in 2016 Max was the first recipient of the WMJS Dr. Bruce Early Jazz Education Award a truly special honor as Max was friends with Bruce and it was presented by another friend Tim Froncek. 
Max’s favorite jazz musician was Stan Getz. Max loved both local and national jazz musicians and believed this was an art form that was passed down by generations and to that end, brought in many jazz artists to share life experiences and their talents with his students. Just to name a few, Steve Talaga, Tim Froncek, Dave Spring, Wycliffe Gordon, Marcus Belgrave, Terell Stafford, Frank Mantooth, Jimmy Forrest, etc… A much longer list over 40 years
Max was my biggest influences in my life both musically and personally. He was my first trumpet teacher. He exposed me to so many great musicians both in his high school bands and taking me to concerts, Buddy Rich and Dizzy Gillespie being two of my first jazz concerts. He was my high school band director. Like so many other students, not only did he care for me the musician but me the person. He demonstrated love to me and so many others because of his believe in Jesus which was the core of how he treated others. 
I am proud to call Max Colley Jr. my Father. I know his legacy will live on for generations to come. 
Max Colley III

After a long stretch of trumpet gigs, the year ended with all drum gigs which I was happy for. The fellowship of jazz musicians is just as fun as the music we make tougher. I love are local community of jazz musicians. Our little trio actually was getting pretty tight with as many gigs as we had together! LOL The River City Big Band was fun as you can see 7 of us graduated from Northview and we all had Mr. Wells as our Jr Hi Band teacher. Such a tribute to him and my Dad! It was fun to swing on the Hammertones and my Maximus Snare! 

West Michigan Band Instruments had their first trumpet day. "Sound The Trumpet". It was a fun and successful day reaching out to the brass community. We had groups from WMU & GVSU. Dr. White gave a great clinic. My 3rd trumpet teacher Greg Alley gave a great session, Buffet was there with trumpets, and my trumpet maker Schilke brought all their instruments and my friend Bennett Heinz gave a presentation. My friend and great brass repairmen Jacob Hoskins also had his trumpets and mouthpieces there. I was honored to close out the day with my quintet which was received well and honored to play with all those cats. The day started with a beautiful sunrise and ended with a beautiful sunset. A good time had by all! 

The 11th grandchild has arrived! I'm so happy for Jeremy and Stevee. God had it all worked out. The circle of life, Dad passes and Wells enters. They did take Wells out to meet Talia and Dad! So nice! God Bless you Wells Everett Cosby!

Despite being an introvert, ( a fact I could never convince Talia of)  I do enjoy meeting up with friends and loved ones! Here is a smattering of my encounters! LOL 

I was really looking forward to this. It was al live video taping for future release. I have been to a few of these so I expected some things to happen but it all started late, one song had to restart like 3 or 4 times and in the hour and 15 mins I was there I only hear Mr. Carter play one number, so it was time for me to go. It was a full weekend of music and I was ready to drive home. Oh it was in Chicago. I will look forward to the video! 

My trip to Carmel, IN marked the 10th time seeing Samara. It was a beautiful venue and was nice to see and hear trumpeter Jason Charos and get a copy of his latest cd. Right at the end, I found my good friend Todd Williams who was in attendance!  Side note, I hate roundabouts! I thought Sarasota, FL was the worst with these but Carmel takes them!!! urr....

Speaking of Roundabouts!!! LOL

It was great to see Hammer at PASIC. The new trio sounds great. They played a very well received swingin' set. I'll never get tired of hearing and seeing and supporting my hero's in this music. 

I dove into the drummer side of my split personality of trumpeter and drummer and attended the Percussive Arts Society's Convention held in Indianapolis, IN. This was my first one. It was fun to see so many friends and hear some great music.