First and foremost, I'm grateful to those that gave their lives for my freedom in this country. We are seeing across the world and even in our own country that freedom is fragile. While the holiday is meant to pay respect to those that lost their lives in battle, I also have to pay respect to Jesus who also gave His life so we truly can be free from sin which He took upon Himself, and rose again so while we may have a physical death, our spirit will not die, and if we accept His payment on the cross, we will live with Him forever. Thank you to those that gave their life for this country and thank you Jesus! 

I was able to go on a few God walks to my prayer bench, and also do some reading, practicing, and watched some podcasts. My Aunt Dorthy took me out for dinner for my birthday on Thursday and that was so kind. On Friday, my dear friends the Billingslys invited me over for a boat ride and a blindfold test! LOL Then I went to Ethan Wells graduation party on Saturday and was so good to see so many family and friends. My friend Mike Hamann came over to bring the intellect I was lacking to put together the grill Chandy and Rick got me. I grilled steaks for its inaugural outing and they came out really good. Mike and I had a hilarious moment that you'd have to be there for but let's say timing is everything. I also picked up some souvlaki which reminded me of Festival downtown. That will be my last God walks on my home turf for the week. My next God walks this week will be a bit more grand I'll say. While, I'm thankful as previously mentioned for the places where I live to have places to walk, at the end of this week, I will be seeing even more revelation of God's amazing creation, so I'm looking forward to that. Stay tuned! 

In Ephesians 6:12 it says "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. It also says in Habakkuk 2:14" For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" I Corinthians 2: 16 says we can have the mind of Christ, and John 14 12 says we will do greater works. 

My life is not resembling these things so .In this next chapter of my life, I'm trying hard to live more from the spiritual realm. I want to discern Holy Spirits voice more. I discuss listening all the time as a musician. So many principles from music apply to life and my relationship with God. I have a book in mind and even a friend who said he would help me write it. One of the many projects I dream about. ​ I want more of His presence. I've had an experience recently where I truly was able to see through God's eyes. I could go much more into detail and maybe I will as I continue on with Holy Spirit. The other side of all this, is trust. Trust can only be utilized when tested, which means not a lot of fun in the process, but as we mature, it becomes more of a lifestyle and even though the circumstances get harder and more painful, as with everything, it's awesome when we get on the other side or learn the peace that comes when we either give things up and just be obedient to whatever God is calling us into. I'm thankful He is working yet in this old man. I'll leave it here for now. 

First video is my Taps across America submission from 4 years ago. I remember Talia was taping it and people were coming out of their houses in the hood, and some missed it and I had to do it again so those that missed it the first time could hear it. 

The second video is a podcast that is kicking my butt! This is what I'm striving for! I'm through the first 15 and all have been incredible, challenging, and inspiring. 

​I knew I wanted to write a little blog on my birthday this year. First, I’m not a big birthday person for myself because I never like to be the center of attention which your birthday kind of does. 

I have been in a season of loss for almost 4 years now. Obviously, my wife Talia and recently my Dad, but I’ve lost so many people close to me, many I called Mom or friend. But all haven’t been from transitions to Heaven, some losses of friends have come from ideology differences, and other reasons. It’s been hard, especially my last relationship loss. 

With all of this however, God has been faithful and I have learned so much. I’m actually overwhelmed with all the lessons learned and I really need to take the time to document for myself all that has been downloaded to me. 

Despite still dealing with some of this loss, I am thankful for my birthday this year. One thing birthdays give us is a new start. I’m thankful for new starts and am trying to position myself in my old age, to really live the rest of my days on this earth close to the way God designed me to live them which is being led by Holy Spirit! Fully coming to the realization of who I am in Christ and what I have at my disposal spiritually because of Jesus’s death and resurrection and how this effects how I conduct my life and the lives of others. 

So I had a nice planned day by myself (kind of) lol and did my 7 mile hike to my prayer spot and just had time with me and God. 

Another thing birthdays do at least for me, is let me know how incredibly loved and blessed I am. I humbly and happily fielded hundreds of calls, texts, and messages! A tradition I have started, is to quick speak a blessing to God over every person that communicated with me. So it was a really good day and I am filled with hope for this next year of life and my cup is filled from all the love shown me today!
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Most of my birthdays in my adult life, I’ve had gigs on my birthday which have been good most of the time because I’ve flown under the radar. However… lol I thought it might be fun to remember some memorable birthdays. Enjoy and thank you!

So I played a gig in 2008 at the Westside Inn with the Truth in Jazz Orchestra. There were 4 trumpet players. One of the guys in the section says, it's my birthday today, then a girl says it's my birthday today, then I said it's my birthday today. What are the chances that 3 out of the 4 trumpet players in the band shared the same birthday. 

In 2016 I played with my friends at West Ottawa and Etienne Charles (former roommate) was the guest artist: 
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My co-worker Grimaldo shared a birthday with me at MSU

Of Course Family Celebrations. 

Now a memorable birthday was in 2019. I kind of had two birthdays. I flew to Japan with MSU. I was playing lead trumpet with the big band for that tour. We flew over the international dateline so when we landed the band sang happy birthday to me on the plane. Then when we got to the restaurant, they sang again. I have no idea how they knew it was my birthday on the plane, but then Professor Whitaker took the whole band out to eat for my birthday as seen here. So much for not liking to be the center of attention! LOL After celebrating that day, I thought I was done but then realized back home in the US it was now my birthday so all day on Facebook I was getting nice messages. 

 I've been thrown two big surprise birthday parties in my life. This is a love/hate type of thing because I don't like being the center of attention. I don't like a lot of people, I love the one on one! However, having all my loved ones from all my different families and walks of life that I travel in over my life together in one spot, I love. So I have to give a little to get the later. If asked if I ever would want a party I would always say no but I love fellowshipping with so many I love. 

My first party was for my 30th birthday. So much work went into it. I felt so bad for Deb because I was not a very happy camper that day. She said she had stuff to do in the morning (planning and getting the party set up at a nearby park) so I took the opportunity to get work done around the house. Mow the lawn, plant some flowers, etc.. she came home saw me all sweaty and dirty and was mortified. LOL She asked me to get cleaned up because she wanted to go somewhere or something, I was like seriously, and had a very bad attitude, she was insistent because obviously she had to be because a birthday party without the person who's birthday it is, tends to be a little anti-climatic. So I get cleaned up, she's driving which I always drive, and we get to the park, and there are posters on the trees as you enter with sayings about me but I still don't get it. I'm reading them out loud and I'm just like what the heck. LOL she is laughing at this point because I'm so dumb! Finally I arrive and all the people are there. I felt so terrible for her and still wish I could do that day over again but it was so nice and I remember my present that day as the complete Duke Ellington CD Set on RCA which everyone contributed to. 

Then for my 50th birthday, I thought I had escaped a party because it fell during the time I was in Japan. So my nephew's Elijahs birthday is shortly after mine. So the premise was  I was going to a party for Elijah at Northview and this was after I returned from Japan. So my birthday was a thing of the past, it happened like 2 weeks ago. So Talia somehow and I don't know how she did it to this day, got my phone and would just start sending numbers of people to Chandy and then Chandy I think did the calling to invite people to this surprise party. I have a video which doesn't accurately depict just how confused I was. I expected to see people because I knew it was "A Party For Elijah" but when they yelled surprise when I walked in with Talia, I didn't get it. As I started to look at the people that were there I was like, why would they be at Elijah's party? Then I finally realized it was for me. Sorry Lij! I asked Talia, did you know about this? LOL It was very unlike her to help with this and she was a trooper for coming as this was not her cup of tea at all. She stayed for a little bit and then went to the car to read which she was fine with but too many people for her! LOL About half way through the party, I'm talking to Greg Wells, and he says turn around, and my friend, mentor, hero, Jon Faddis showed up unannounced! He drove from Chicago where he had just had a gig. Unreal! 

I hope they won't mind me posting this one from awhile back, but the Printups will send me videos from time to time and this was one complete with inside jokes! My Jazz Family is incredible and always shows me so much love and this year was no exception. Got calls from all around the country and it means the world to me! Thank you!

Talia and I dated a very long time ago when I had moved to Phoenix for a minute. It didn't work out at first, however we remained friends, and I would always see her when I'd visit. I remember at least one birthday if not two on visits that we would go out and I remember some of the gifts she got me off my amazon list. It wasn't until the last time I visited that we decided to date and get married many years later. We married on July 1, 2017 but she didn't move to MI until Labor Day of that year. I picked her up at the airport in Detroit after working with MSU at the Jazz Festival. So I had 5 birthday's with her in MI. One was Japan/50 party, One was during Covid, a couple were just low key, and the last one unfortunately was spent in hospice. The people there were so nice and Talia's Mom was in. This was less than a month before she transitioned  to Heaven. The saddest part for me with that was she was still a little with us but slept a lot. She always tried to make my birthday special and would surprise me with gifts with extra money she saved up. At one point that day, she found out it was my birthday and I can tell she was a little sad she didn't know, but I assured her that she was still here to be with me and that's all I needed, not knowing it wouldn't be too much longer. The cupcake was from the nice lady who did all the cooking there. 

I have gone to some concerts. I saw Faddis in Chicago one year and 2023 I went to the Brass Band of Battle Creek to see Wycliffe, Herlin, and Doreen Ketchens. Crazy thing is I have a gig in October coming up with Doreen and I'm scared stiff, but I'll be ready! LOL 

Then last year I did have a gig in PY in a Paul Simon Tribute Band I'm in. I thought I'm good nobody will know. Well, one of my friends wives who I'm friends with, got on Facebook and found out. They had the whole crowd sing to me. LOL so kind! 

That gets me to this year. I had a really nice day as stated above. I'm excited to be growing especially spiritually and learning to fear less and trust more. It's a rough process and like anything, I don't think you ever arrive and am always trying to strive to get to the next level of maturity. I pray I will be a better friend and example to all that God has placed in my life in this next year. I'm thankful and grateful to God and what the next year of life holds. I'm thankful for all that showed such love to me today! Love, Blessings, and Swing! 
​MCIII

It has been a great year working with Rockford's Jazz Band. Cullen has become a very dear friend to me and he is a miracle worker with these kids with the amount of time he has with them. Says a lot about how great he is at what he does. Most of all he really loves the kids! 

I was very excited when Xavier was going to be our guest artist this year. Xavier and I have been friends since we played together in the St. Cecilia Orchestra together in like 7th grade. Since then Xavier has traveled the world playing with all the masters of jazz. He is one of the great pianists of our time. 

I always feel bad for him when he has to play with me, but he could not be more kind to me. 

We don't talk often but when we do, we do life honestly together and are very transparent with each other. We celebrate the good times and support in the tough times. More than any other time in our fellowship, it really dawned on me how similar we are in personality. (not intellect or musicality) I asked a lot of questions of him this time and he was more than happy to share insights musically on how and why he does things. 

I absolutely love his whole family and they really are hometown heroes to me in the music world. 

Thank you for being so supportive Xav, and playing on my CD's! Here is our performance. A lot, I'd like a do over on but so blessed for the opportunity. That is followed with some pictures from years past. We both came into MSU the same year. 

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Had a super fun time seeing my dear friend Randy Napoleon with his former students now all playing across the world. They all at one time were GA's that worked for me at MSU in some capacity. It was so good to see them all and Luke is on my latest project along with Randy. It was also great to see Quincy Davis, so I got to see both of the Davis Men this week. Rick Roe is on my first CD and sounded amazing as always and was great to hear Langston Kitchen on bass! The night started with dinner with Elijah for some Mediterranean. Great to see my brother Keith Hall and friend Matthew Fries! Funny thing that happened, Dr. Sawyer texted me about a gig and I was at the table next to him but he didn't see me, so I answered in person. LOL Great night! Oh, the one picture was light reflecting on our table and I thought it looked cool and I like purple! LOL 

It was a rainy day but it cleared up enough to walk 6 miles in the city before the concert. I've been coming to Chicago since I was a little kid. It was the one place my Dad took us for the most part. Lot to do and free in those days. There were a lot of Dad memories this time. I went to his favorite restaurant. Went and saw Abe Lincoln statue. Went to Buckingham Fountain, Picasso and Calder. I also had made some memories there with Talia. I took her there and Detroit in the same weekend when I proposed to her. She was not happy with the amount of walking! LOL This was the 11th time I've seen Samara. Never disappoints and was fun to hear her with the CSO. 

So proud of my Brother in love Rick! He has faced some challenges with his chops and is retiring maybe a tad bit sooner then he had hoped but he's dealing with it and look up to him so much! Playing in a symphony is no joke and I have utmost respect for all that do it. He is a great husband to my sister and glad to call him bro! 

I had a good couple of weeks being able to see a lot of loved ones. It was nice to catch up with Deb quick in MI this time not AZ. Elijah's group played at Northview, so it was fun to have him back there playing. Had to go visit Jordan at work. Pops Froncek came down to work with Northview. And it was great to fellowship with Mary and Eric!  I have a new prayer spot on my hike! Had to go visit the Eagles in Spring Lake. Quick recap! 

Got up in Bloomington and headed to Chicago. I met a couple of amazing ladies who basically have seen the entire history of jazz. I forgot names but one of the ladies worked the door at the Jazz Showcase for over 40 years. So she saw everyone Pops, Duke, Billie, Ella.... I think she said she was 85 still goes to the North Sea Jazz Festival each year. So I had a great time listening to stories. 

It was great to see Faddis again in Chicago. Used to be many times a year, now maybe once a year. It was nice to see Jon's family again! I also had so many friends playing in the band so great to see them, and finally great to see Bennett Hines from Schilke who is always so kind. 

Decided to stop and see the sunset in New Buffalo on the way home. 

​It was a fun weekend of swing and fellowship!

I'm pretty sure this was my first trip to Bloomington. It's been 50 years since John and Jeff have been back together at Indiana where they met. It was special to be there for this historic event. It was also great to see Michael Santos. I met Michael in HS when he attended our summer camp at MSU, now he is working on his graduate studies at Indiana. Sounded great!

Had a fun night with Mike Lutley. It was also fun to play my first gig with Chris Corey. I've played with his sons but first time with Chris. Always fun to play with Mary.