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