So after an enjoyable time of fellowship with the Moore's I headed downtown to see some amazing performances at the Tri-C Jazz Fest. This is my 3rd time attending and each time has been amazing. We were actually part of the educational portion of it one year with MSU. First up was Samara Joy and I don't know what else to say. She is captivating, genuine, one of the great voices in jazz, absolutely draws you in, she is an amazing band leader, adventurous, I mean I could go on forever. She really is something special. She got 2 standing ovations in the middle of the concert. I've never seen crowds react to someone like this. I will see her as many times as I can. Absolutely love her. I also know for a fact she does not just rely on her talent but works extremely hard at what she does. Thank you Samara for the Joy you bring! no pun intended. Next up was Christian McBride who as many times as I've seen him never ceases to amaze me as a virtuoso bassist but who is always innovating. He had a new band and they were amazing. A fully enjoyable set and love him so much and he has been so good to me over the years! Last up was Dan Wilson who I met at MSU and instantly fell in love. Tonight he did a tribute to one my favorites Mr. Stevie Wonder. Innovative arrangements, some tunes I did not know, and killer band. 

I have failed to mention two other gentlemen who played this evening. Mr. Luther Allison and Mr. Brandon Rose. I love these two brothers and am so proud of them. Not only for the expert musicians they have become but for the men they have become. They treat me so well and show so much love to me. I am so happy for all the great things that are happening for them. I even brought autograph material for them tonight. They get to move on with all the other greats in my books of heroes. All in all a great weekend of music and fellowship. God is good. 

It has been nuts and it continues for the next few days. Get up early, drive home, change, head to my gig in St. Joseph. Sunday, playing with Lisa Sung in GR, Monday, gig in Grand Haven, Tues lessons, and then some down time in the schedule which will fill up quickly with many to do's and more CD work, and many other projects to start. 

​Be blessed! Love, Blessings, and Swing!

I'm still actually processing my Israel trip. For sure it was a pilgrimage and so many amazing moments and our tour guide was unbelievable. But one of the other things that came from it was some nice friendships. One of those being Jeff and Sue Moore. They were so kind to come to the way back and befriend me. It really spoke to their selflessness and we had great fellowship and laughs. I've been wanting to get together with them since the trip and now that the snow has stopped! LOL and I was coming to town for the Tri-C Jazz Fest this was  finally the time. They are truly amazing individuals and represent Jesus so well! I have much to learn from them yet but did the heart good to be able to be with them for a little bit. We had a nice walk in one of the metro parks by their house. The end pictures are from our trip and the picture of me floating was by Sue. There is video also but I'll wait for a day that I need a really good laugh to post that one!  Thank you for a great time my Brother and Sister! 

I've included many different tries here of me trying to capture the awe of yet another sunset and yet again I failed in comparison to what my eyes were observing. God is amazing. 

Our family celebrated our Patriarch's 75th birthday yesterday! He always like to say he was born the same year Israel became a nation as I like to say I was born the year they landed on the moon. He also was born on the first day of summer. 

It was good to celebrate because it has been an up and down year for Pops health wise. There are things barring a miracle that he will have to deal with but the stuff that really knocked him out for awhile is all good. 

I am so blessed to call him my earthly father. I know he has touched so many lives and hope that I will be able to do the same. 

The once sickness as demonstrated in the photo that I don't think he will recover from is being a lions fan. This is the year right! LOL 

Love ya Pops! Happy 75th!

Even by my normal standards this was quite the weekend. I was in 5 cities, and played 3 gigs in 24 hours. I left Cincinnati Friday morning drove to Lansing. I quick put my set lists together for 3 gigs, and headed to gig number 1 in Grand Rapids. It was with BWK and was the biggest group I've played with and may ever play with for BWK 14 people. Poor Nate was behind the speaker all night. A place I would have liked to be! LOL. Got a picture with Aaron because without his work on the books I would never be able to play this gig. Got home around 1:30am and had to be out of the house by 8:00 am to be the guest at the Keith Hall Camp in Kalamazoo. He's been doing this like 17 years or something and is such a beautiful camp and so much positivity. All the kids come out playing better and more confident. It's Keith's Birthday today! It was good also to fellowship with so many friends that were there including Lij who went from a student to now teaching at the camp. The it was off to Holland for my next BWK gig. They were a lively bunch which typically is fun. They were on the dance floor all night and I think was the most appreciative crowd towards me that I've ever played for. Nobody got hurt that I know off, lol and they fueled me to play my best! This was a gig Talia would have loved because she would have just camped out in that library. Wish she would have been available for me to text the picture to. She would have loved it. Took a picture with Mark who is always so much fun to play with and a true inspiration to me. Took a walk on my day off. The flowers are my roses that did not bloom last year but are this year despite not being able to get out and weed yet! Lastly, was great to see Larry on my walk who has written for the City Pulse and always did so many nice stories about all the artists we were bringing in to MSU! Always nice to come home to Mia, and Got a Louis Armstrong "doll" I've been keeping my eye on for years. It was time! LOL 

Quick little trip to Cincinnati! Went to the Arc Experience and the Creation Museum. Then walked around the riverfront downtown. Pretty cool city! It was great to catch up with my friend and great pianist Dan Karlsberg. Looking forward to seeing him this evening with Antonio Hart!

My day was spent kind of how this past season has been for me. I believe I have a good balance of alone time to shed tears and spend time with God and then have good fellowship and play music. I'm on the tail end of getting over a cold that has kind of knocked me out for a few days. I made a trip out to the cemetery where in one of the books I read, they called the burial spot the Heaven portal so that is so fitting for Talia who loved sci fi and her favorite was Stargate who the main dude went through this Stargate (portal) and I know she went to Heaven so it makes going there a little easier thinking of it as not Talia's resting place but her Heaven portal. I laid her favorite color rose there. Then I quick stopped at my sister Chandy's house and her and my sister Sarah got me a flower arrangement of one of Talia's favorite flowers. The thing about it, Sarah didn't know that. Talia loved Tulips so I planted a ton for her so she would have them every year, but one year we were looking at our neighbors yard and they had these allium's and Talia loved them, so I went over to ask what they were and of course our nice neighbors not only told us what they were but gave us a bunch of bulbs to plant. So the last picture is from our yard last year, and this is the arrangement my sister Sarah put together and her and Chandy gave me. A cool Godwink! Here is a plug for my sister Sarah's new business The Little Green Barn: 
https://www.instagram.com/thelittlegreenbarn/

I've read so many books on grief during this season and there are many common themes that people have with loss of a spouse despite each situation being very unique. One thing I read that almost everyone has to deal with is life goes on for everyone and there is a bit of a kind of get over it mentality. That is the one thing I do not have in common with anyone that has suffered a loss like mine. Throughout this entire season people are constantly showing love, calls, texts, emails, gifts, etc... I truly am one of the most blessed people on the planet. More than 500 people either sent an emoji of care and love or comment etc.. on Facebook. Two of my dear friends sent this wind chime with a comforting purpose, etc... 

I also have to say one of the biggest surprises through this season is the Stoneleigh Hospice of Lansing. I have made so many friends there and their care and love for Talia for that month was unprecedented. They will always have a special spot in my heart, but the surprise is they are as much here for me as they were Talia. Calls to see how I'm doing, encouragement, and they sent this little bookmark which seems like a small thing but anyone that knows Talia knew her main thing was books! So it was just perfect! 

Then I finally headed to my gig. It was a large wedding and who showed up other than Sparty. LOL It was so fun to catch up with Dante from MSU and we had 3 Northview Alum represented in Keaton Royer, Me, and Mark Wells, Mitch Meyers was on the gig and I was honored to play on his CD and a friend just posted this week a video from like 15 years ago playing together, and Serena Rae was so kind in understanding the anniversary of the day! I had to include a picture of this kid. This kid was on the dance floor all night and as I watched him his time and moves were impeccable. I hope he becomes a drummer but he made it fun to play for him. 

I had a good conversation with Talia's Mom and we are happy for Talia being in no pain and going through the library in Heaven but both of us miss her dearly. 

I closed with some pictures of Talia to which I can hear her saying right now "Unauthorized, Unapproved.... lol" She didn't realize she couldn't take a bad picture. Me on the other hand..... I had to include the one with Mia who was such a good bud to her and now me! She really wouldn't like that I have included one with her after chemo and her hair fell out but I think she looked just as beautiful with or without! 

​Thank you all so much for all your support! I'm blessed in the beyond category! 

I've thought a lot about what to write as I have reached one year since Talia's transition to Heaven. I remember this day last year similar to today, I was watching the NBA finals. I stayed with Talia everyday in Hospice. After the game was done, I tried to lay down on the couch in her room and was awakened at about 5am on the 10th, by her breathing which was signifying her transition. She fought so courageous and brave and with such humility. 

There is so much to reflect on over the last year. 
I didn't realize how exhausted I was. 
I didn't realize just how stressful my job was. 
Everything I knew about Talia has been heightened. 
I think I love Talia better now then when she was here.
I understand her better now.
She really was the sweetest person I've ever met. 
Part of me transitioned with Talia.
I think about Heaven all the time. 
God is truly good.
I'm more compassionate for people especially those that have gone through similar circumstances. There are a lot of us that belong to a club none of us wanted to belong to. 
I'm more grateful than I used to be.
I have the most incredible support group ranging from my blood family, Talia's family, co -workers, the jazz community, all the hospice workers, and so many friends from all walks of life. 
The world needs Jesus
Priorities have changed
Talia led by example
Grief is no joke
I got to walk where Jesus walked
I believe I'm a stronger person now because of what I've been through
I was afraid I wouldn't remember what life was like before she got cancer but thank God as I reflect through a lot of pictures, I remember all the good times! 
I don't like going grocery shopping anymore
It's the simple things that get me

I could go on and on. It was very important for me to take this year off. I have to figure out next steps now but as Talia would tell me don't stress about it, pray about it and God will open the door. 

There were about a billion pictures I could have posted but I decided on this one because it was something we were both proud of, we kept each other accountable to read through the Bible in a year. Because of what the Bible says about how God loved us and paid the price (so yes He gets our pain of loss) and if we accept that as Talia did, there is no death. I've tried not to use the word death because only Talia's body died not her spirit, what a comfort to know I will be reunited with her. 

I have finished for the most part recording my tribute project to Talia. There are so many special moments on here and so many contributions of love. One very special piece will close this project entitled "Till I See You" by Peter Jonatan. It's a very emotional piece for me because it depicts so well what I envision my reuniting with Talia to be like in addition to being with Jesus also! I'm excited for you all to hear it, and of course will let you know when it's ready to be released.

In closing, I could have written so much more but I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for all the love and support through this season. May God bless you all and know how much you are all loved! 

Wedding season has begun! Most weekends this summer will be playing with the Bluewater kings. I'm very thankful for the work and play with a lot of nice people. Session 4 happened for the CD with more amazing musicians. I got my Psalm 42:1 photo, Mia being a good bud to me, Rowan turned 4, good to play with brother Keith, the moon and sun have been amazing because of the smoke, and session 5 happened for the CD and my nephew Elijiah turned 19 which is unreal to me!