A very happy anniversary to my brother and sister Mike and Michelle! I think this is 26 years for them which is crazy to me! They are true heroes. My vision of heroes is ever changing in my old age. Knowing the commitment it takes to stay married in this day and age is astounding. The fact that they have been together this long says so much about them both. Brother Max loves you both and couldn't be more proud! Congratulations! 

It's fun to start posting pictures with people again! First photo stopped at school quick after having lunch with Michael Reed. My good friend Chuck Roberts stopped to say hi and good friend Kevin Jones was meeting with great percussionist Jon Weber (not my other friend bassist John Webber lol). Had a great time playing a wedding for Grace with Lisa Sung and Jeff Pedraz, Houston Patton, and Jeannine Miller. Then I had to include my steak I grilled that looked like the state of Michigan. LOL I'm still working on a Louis Armstrong post! Whew!

Always a pleasure to hear one of the worlds greatest trombonists. Wycliffe is a beautiful cat which is reflected in his music! A fun night but also reflective as it was a benefit for a charity set up for Lawerence Leathers who we lost tragically. 

I guess it's coincidental that two of my biggest musical inspirations were born on the same day 52 years apart (which is my current age) and also that another one of my biggest musical inspirations was born 11 days apart. Jeff Hamilton and Louis Armstrong born on August 4 and Jeff Hamilton and Jon Faddis born 11 days apart. It's hard to say if the reason I gravitated towards Jeff's playing is because we both hear the music the same way or if I've heard his music so much that that's the way I hear the music now and know his playing so well. Either way, hearing Jeff play is an emotional experience for me all the time. There is no way to describe the way Jeff sets up a band or swings a band. It is a feeling that you never get tired of. I'm always smiling either by the incredible things he does musically or his humor that constantly influences the music. I could go on forever and never really  get to what I'm trying to convey. You have to hear him for yourself. I include pictures because sometimes they better tell the story. For me, Jeff the musician, is only half the story because Jeff the friend is equally as special to me. With all my musician/hero/friends I cherish not only being surrounded by the greatest musicianship the world has known, but such depth and quality of fellowship. Jeff has always given me such respect and love. This has played out on so many occasions. Yes, as with so many of my heroes, I am a bit of a geek and like on trumpet I have to have Faddis' horn and case and mutes and cloth, on drums I have to play Jeff's cymbals, his sticks and brushes, cymbal stand, and snare drum that is named "Maximus" for his most well known song "Max" ironically (no not for me lol). It is truly a blessing to be able to call Jeff friend. Happy Birthday Hammer! Life would not be the same without ya! Love ya!

Josiah Cosby - Josiah was born in South Korea on July 2. Through a bunch of miracles, my sister and brother in law were able to bring him into our family. It hasn't been easy, but I believe Josiah has great things in store for the future and look forward to what God will continue to do in his life. He cracks me up and am amazed at his memory. He has a great smile as you can see and loves the Miami Dolphins. Happy Birthday Josiah and Uncle Max loves you much!

It's hard to explain the camaraderie jazz musicians have with one another. I guess  the very nature of the music is about coming together and interacting with one another. So over the past year of not being able to play together only on videos which is not the same, it's been missed. So I had the chance to just be a listener this past week to enjoy some swing, catch up with friends, and always be inspired. It was my first chance to hear the Holland Jazz Orchestra which has one of my best friends in it, a couple of former students, and a whole  lot of friends! They sounded great and was fun to hear them. Then it was time to listen to Byron Stripling, one of the great trumpeters of the world.  Byron's sound is really what a trumpet should sound like. Just an amazing musician. With so many of my friends, despite them being the greatest musicians on the planet, so much of the reason I go is to just have fellowship. Byron has always been so kind and giving to me. It was great to see him after a year an half. It felt so good to hear music live again and have a mini hang!

Grandma Chipman, born on July 29! My Grandmother was so supportive of me growing up. I would stay at her house and she would take me shopping at K-Mart (do they even exist any more?) and I would go straight for the record aisle. (Don't you want some clothes or toys or something? Nope!) There wasn't much but they did have some jazz. She did not know the first thing about jazz and found the names very funny. Duke, Count, Satchmo, LOL So I would pick out the LP'S I wanted and would have to wait until Christmas to actually be able to listen to them. I've included the album covers here of the ones she bought me, including my first Wynton LP. So many good memories. She got me in to see Dizzy Gillespie one time when I wasn't old enough. She called the venue and said I was underage (I think like 7th grade) but she would accompany me, so they let me come. She would show up to every one of my concerts about 2 hours early to get a good seat. LOL So today I thank and honor my Grandmother. Didn't know the first thing about jazz and played a major part of my musical development! Thank you Grandma!