I've been hearing about a new jazz club in PHX called Ravenscroft. I had such a great time. I love their mission, Met some really great people, heard some great music. Very excited about what God is doing with this institution!

Hiked Piestewa today, then went and saw the great Byron Stripling. Had to stop and see where Talia and I first met. 

Was great going to see my Brother Vin work in his other jobs than Take 6 and catch up with his family. Beautiful drive back! 

First I always love this drive. I never get sick of the mountains! Had a great time with the Kaneys and even got to sit in at Mark's gig at a place Lucy and Desi owned. Also was able to get a hike in with Mark going up to see Bob Hope's estate. 

I'm having a great time in PHX. Always has been a place of refuge for me. Weather has been beautiful and so have the hikes and fellowship with loved ones. 

Had a fun day with Sheila Early and family hiking. Great fellowship and beautiful surroundings and weather! 

I never get sick of the mountains. I'd always tease Talia that she was oblivious to them. I stand in a parking lot and take pictures of the mountain behind it, hence the first picture. I went to a dive, drive in... restaurant and it was really good. Then did my first hike in my old stomping grounds at Papago Park. Went up to my prayer rock that I've been going to for over 20 years every time I come to PHX. The intersection picture is where I used to live on 52nd street and Ironically Talia lived there too and didn't know it. I don't think it was at the same time. Then of course flowers and fruit, things you don't see in MI at this point! 

Went to the Pistons vs Suns game today. Not much of a game and Devin Booker got ejected in the first 5 mins. which was ridiculous. To my surprise, my friend Lewis Nash was being honored so that made it even more fun! 

The day started off when I'm on the escalator in Detroit and I hear "Max Colley" lol it was the great pianist Matthew Fries. It was fun to get caught up with him. Then I was able to by pass one of my flights to Atlanta and go directly to PHX which was great but only one of my suitcases made it but they were great and delivered the other one right to the house. No harm done. Love taking pictures from the plane and when they have the flight tracker so I know what I'm looking at! So thankful for Deborah Verdier and our friendship over the years going back to grade school. I'm glad I'm called to sometimes dogsit and housesit. It's a tough job but someone has to do it! LOL yea right. Absolutely beautiful out here! 

This was my first time seeing Sean Mason. It will not be my last! His release The Southern Suite is truly one of my all time favorite albums. It was fun to learn about him growing up with Luther Allison also! Concert was amazing. So glad to have heard the group live.  The added bonus is when concerts are in KZoo , I always have someone to go with. Nephew Lij is a jazz major at WMU so always happy to be able to make it down there to hang with my nephew! 

The Columbus Jazz Orchestra has truly become a family for me. I'm always greeted so warmly by so many in the band. Byron is about as class act as you get. Byron called me shortly after Talia's passing and said I'm going to be in your area and there is a ticket waiting for you. Some music and fellowship will start the healing process. It was one of so many acts of love that I will never forget. One of my favorite singers on the planet is Kenny Washington, as always have to qualify not the drummer. LOL Truly one of the most soulful singers I've ever heard. It was so good to get caught up and love him dearly. All of the music and fellowship was good for the soul and I'm blessed and grateful!

The CMU Jazz Fest has been a part of my life since I think I was 7 years old. It was the one day I would get out of school to go with my dad and the HS band, then after all those years of attending as a kid, I got to participate as a HS student, followed by being in the final concert as a student at CMU. Now, I'm asked to adjudicate the bands. Full circle moments. I also had fun getting to play drums during the judges jam. So many family and friends and teachers were there. Always a homecoming. 

It is super fun to be able to just drive 4 miles from my house and watch these eagles!

I would have to say one of the biggest things I cherish most is relationships. God has blessed me with so many around the world from all walks of life. Was fun to get caught up with Jeff Cousins who was our bus driver for MSU on all our trips. He always goes beyond for us and am so thankful for him. 

I surprised Uncle G by having my sister come down and join me. Every time we get together he asks how pops is doing and how is my sister doing? It's hard for my sister to make trips like this because it takes a lot of energy but wanted to have fun and surprise him too, so it was just a really great time to all fellowship. 

​I met Ralston and Tony at my former church but they have become such inspirations to me and unfortunately we all belong to a club none of us wanted to join. God has blessed me so much by these two, especially at the beginning when they had been through what I have and we didn't have to use words because we all lived it so no need to explain. They just knew the pain! So thankful for them! 

Always fun to play with great musicians. They make you play better. This was a benefit in GR and it was all Motown music. Had a great time!