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Would be 467/23/2024 Talia would have turned 46 today. I started the day off by going to see my hospice family. It's a very weird confliction of emotions. Truly one of the hardest times of my life was spent here with Talia, yet at the same time there was so much love shown to us that it's good to see everyone when I go. I'm always received so warmly. I was able to get a memorial brick laid down in the path for Talia. I remember one day when I was wheeling her outside, she thought it was so nice that people could be remembered by family like that so I knew it was something I wanted to do. Me telling the story really epically fails to express how sweetly her spirit was about this sentiment. I've never met anyone sweeter than Talia. I'm bummed I didn't take a picture with Dr. LaBerge but he couldn't have been more kind! The turkey and deer came out to say hey also. Had a nice reflective walk. Then stopped and picked up some of her favorite flowers. Going to see the nephew play his first gig under his name tonight. Talia's Aunt Rita now celebrates Talia's birthday on the day she passed because that is the day she went to Heaven. It's a nice authentic spin on what should be a very sad day but think I may start adopting that tradition!
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July walks so far7/23/2024 I've always been blessed no matter where I live to find places to walk and observe God's creation! I kind of got a bucket list shot of the deer panteth for the water shot.
Scott Cowan7/23/2024 Much of the time in my life, I feel I'm on a deserted island. It is always great when I have a visitor. So thankful for my brother Dr. Scott Cowan! What a great time of fellowship and inspiration.
Amway Gig7/23/2024 Kind of a weird gig. At the Amway downtown GR. Played a million gigs there but only a few in this room. After soundcheck, got the news President Trump had been shot which put me in kind of a funk. Then the gig had 3 very good friends on it but we are all past members of a church. I walked around for awhile and in the Amway and convention center there is definitely a river/wave theme as you can see.
Lansing Firworks7/23/2024 It was kind of funny because there were so many home fireworks going on me and this family that came down to watch thought maybe those were the city's. many drones from the capitol were watching us.
Thunderbirds in Battle Creek7/23/2024 I love going to see the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds. Most of the time I don't end up going to the viewing stand and just find a place I can park and watch. It was pretty overcast and did rain a few times but still so fun to see them in Battle Creek. Met this nice lady who kept me fed at her food truck! Fireworks at the Jackson Cascades7/23/2024 When I was a kid, I bought this foldout post card set. One of the pictures was the Jackson Cascades. After all these years, I finally went there. Right as fireworks started this lady came next to me and started to talk to the guy through the fence and did not watch one bit of the fireworks. Kind of annoying. lol
Would have been 77/1/2024 Today would have been 7 years for me and Talia! Last week this truck in front of me had this blue rose on it. That was Talia's favorite.
Baldy7/1/2024 This was as close as I've ever been to a bald eagle. I was a little scared with my history with birds. LOL The Block7/1/2024 This was a really super special concert as it was with the 3 people I have performed the longest with. Tim Froncek gave me my first gig in 11th grade, Xavier Davis I played with in jr. orchestra, and Rob Hartman I played with in HS. The crowd was very responsive and really enjoyed the evening!
Tuba Bach7/1/2024 My good friend Ed Mallett invited me up for my 3rd time to be a part of his tuba Bach festival. Was great to play with old friends and some new ones. So proud of Ed and what he has brought to Big Rapids!
Arcadia, Frankfort, Mt. Pleasant7/1/2024 My wedding band takes me all over MI. A good majority in northern MI. I love this area in Arcadia and Frankfort. Passed 2 years of Talia's transition on June 10th. She loved looking at water so I love that the last two years, my gigs around her passing anniversary are around water. On the way back stopped in Mt. Pleasant where I went to College. These ladies were closed but made me a malt because I helped them carry in groceries. Very nice! Jacob Collier7/1/2024 Traveled to Indy to see Jacob Collier. It was a very entertaining show and he is immensely talented. I was also very impressed with the sound and lights! Also good to hear Christian Euman again! Then headed to Nashville quick to take a lesson with Steve Patrick. Byron at the Park & John Shea7/1/2024 Beautiful night for opening of jazz in the park. Sat in with Byron and was a nice way to close the year with them. Then went down and sat in on both drums and trumpet with John. Got my professional start on drums with John. Thankful for him. Thanks to Eddie Tadlock for the photos and video! Joe Farnsworth6/9/2024 It was great to see Joe Farnsworth for the first time at a club that has meant so much to me, the Jazz Showcase in Chicago. I am a big fan of my friend Luther Allison and was great to hear him in this new context. Most of all was great to spend the day with my nephew Elijah!
Kenny Washington6/9/2024 It was so good to see my good friend and one of my favorite singers, Mr. Kenny Washington! Thanks Joan for brining him in. Then headed to the Earle to see a favorite trio with Mr. Robert Warren.
Uncle G at 896/9/2024 Had to celebrate Uncle G's Birthday 2X's Breakfast and had him over for dinner and an interview. Stay tuned!
Libby and Josiah Graduation6/9/2024 Jason St. Pierre6/9/2024 I was very sad to learn of the passing of a friend from my McDonalds Band days. We were roommates on the first tour in NYC.
Rockford Jazz Night6/9/2024 I was very honored to be the guest artist with Rockford HS for their jazz night. I have a long history with Rockford, doing my student teaching there many moons ago. I have had an opportunity to work the kids the past few years and Cullen and the kids have become family! Thank you so much for having me!
Alphonso Horne6/9/2024 I'm so blessed to work with both Byron and West Ottawa! Both directors are two of my best friends. I'm so proud of the work the kids have done at West Ottawa. The future is bright! I had a great time playing drums and trumpet! Thank you Mike for having me. I got to catch up with my good friend Mr. Alphonso Horne. Such an amazing player and educator. A good time was had by all!
Family5/13/2024 Essentially Ellington is always special. It is first, always something earned of which I have very little to do with. It is fulfillment of a dream for Marc and I as when we sat down and dreamed for hours when Marc first got this job, what do we want things to look like this year, in 5 years, in 10 years. One of those was for us to make EE and go play for our heroes. This was the 7th time we made it.
The first one was completely surreal and kind of the next one also. We did it again. Then there were there were 2 years where we didn't get to play at the house of swing, and didn't get to meet other kids, etc... Covid! To me this is where J@LC just went way beyond, they did the best they could with the situation at hand, which was also a big financial burden with no money coming in. Skip ahead to EE 2022. There is no place I'd rather be then with all my friends at J@LC however, Talia was struggling with her fight with cancer. I made the decision not to go. I hoped there would be more to go to but Talia and her care were more important. We had a hospice nurse who was amazing named Linda. Linda told us that Talia could go into the facility so the caretaker (me) could have a rest. I still was not going to do it however Talia really wanted me to go. I couldn't believe she would agree to do that. Such an act of love on her part. So, I ended up going, very uneasy. They didn't know how I took care of her, they didn't know her, etc... I called about every hour for the first day. She assured me she was doing well, and even likened it to a cruise ship saying she had a personal chef, a person that liked sci-fi, etc.. as the week went on, I was more and more comfortable not calling every hour and was able to enjoy a little bit fellowship with my different families. The time was coming to an end and I was looking forward to being with my wife again and taking care of her. When I called on the way home she was a pretty different person I just say. I did not put two and two together. The next day was so awful. Finally nurse Linda said, the time has come to go to the facility. You've been doing the job of 3 people. So a day later we go right back to hospice. The Dr. came and met me as Talia was getting checked in. He told me his name and first thing he told me was, that is not your wife that was talking to you like that, that was the tumor. The tumor had moved to a new spot of the brain. No longer just motor skill problem but now personality. It all made sense. However, coming back to a different person, I could not forgive myself for going to EE. My friend Marc, said he would like to offer a different take on the situation. Maybe, God knew what was lying ahead and this time at EE gave me some emotional re-fueling for what I was about to face. Talia was in hospice I think exactly one month and then transitioned to Heaven. If Marc had not changed the narrative for me, I would never go back to EE and it would hold a very sad place in my heart. 2023 EE would be emotional for me but all was good but hard. A friend I met while in Phoenix earlier this year told me, he believed I would be entering a new season of my life in a good way. I really feel he is right. As I left EE this year, I really felt optimism even in the midst of so much uncertainty in the world. I have to remember God's got me! While I don't know what the future holds for me with most of the "W" words, where, with who, why, when.... I do have a sense that God is working in me and is ordering my steps in each of those areas. My job is to trust Him and His timing. EE this year like other years, but even more so this year, was a families reunion. Of course my Byron family, my J@LC family, I was a little sad that some of my kids I'd see from some of the Florida schools have graduated which just meant I'm getting old, and of course so many jazz musician friends, and then also met some new friends. I so badly want to go into detail about each and every person and what they mean to me but I'd never finish. Everyone hold a very special spot in my heart. There were some really special moments for me that I think I will keep to myself but I do realize, I'm the most loved person on the planet. I'm blessed beyond what I deserve and am so grateful for all the beautiful people that are in my life, and so many I got to see on this trip. Also, so many of these beautiful people really loved me through Talia's transition and am eternally grateful for their love shown to me. I hope I got to everyone to let them know how much that means to me! Terell in his comments to the students I think stole all my sayings and Hammer's too! LOL not really but really talked about family and relationships in jazz. The main point I make in jazz is that you cannot be selfish and perform at a high level. You need to bring excellence to the table so that you can loose the attitude of it being about you, and have it being about us! Very Biblical concept talking about the body is made of many parts. All super important like your hand, but it only will function at the highest level when connected to the rest of the body. I had short conversations and super long conversations. Some ended there and some are continuing for which I'm grateful. By the way this is only a handful of people I took pictures with. I can think of so many that I saw but didn't do the selfie thing with. Oh, and of course I had to include Hammer talking to "Wynton" who I missed this year! I left this years Ellington Festival not knowing what lies ahead like 2022, but coming home this time around, I feel a sense of community and love and a new blessed season in my life. Thank you Lord for all the people I was able to connect with and what lies ahead. Happy 50th Marc5/13/2024 I'm so blessed to call many friends. We all got to celebrate Marc's 50th doing what he loves. Being with kids, teaching life through music, and being at one of our favorite places in the world, the house of swing! Thank you for so many things my friend. Dreams do come true! Happy Birthday!
Smoke5/13/2024 I had bought tickets for this in advance. The show was supposed to have the great Eddie Henderson on it but he had to miss the night I went so the sub was one of my dearest friends. While sad I missed Eddie, was so fun to see Marcus get to play a little with some legends. Both Carl Allen and Steve Davis have been so good to me and it was great to see them again. It was also great to hear bass legend Buster Williams, Tenor Sax, Billy Pierce, and pianist Mike LeDonne. A very fun night! First time at Smoke also.
Max Colley IIISpirit Filled Jazz Musician Archives
July 2024
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