Well 5 years ago I was working with MSU down at the Detroit Jazz Festival. There were many things I wanted to see when we got done playing but I was more happy to go pick up my bride from the airport. Even though we got married on July 1 she had to sell her house yet and finish up work out there so she finally moved here on the Sunday of the Detroit Jazz Festival! It was a great day! 

I'm so happy for my sister Chandy and her new husband Rick! It was a small intimate wedding and God painted the backdrop! The really professional looking pictures were taken my brother Nathan! 

Our annual jazz convocation, this year we welcomed Mr. Walter Blanding to the professors!

Had a great time at the 1st annual Springfield Jazz Festival. Got to see a lot of MSU Alum, Byron Alum, Friends from Columbus, the amazing Sean Jones and Bobby Floyd, Todd Stoll, Mrs. Diehl, and heard Samara Joy. She lived up to everything I've heard about her and was so sweet! On the return trip home I visited another one of my heroes old stomping grounds. Mr. Jeff Hamilton from Richmond, IN. Big storms on the way down that kept me taking pictures! LOL

I didn't know Dan well but in the few times we talked you felt like you knew him for a million years. Amazing trumpet player. I'm really feeling for my friends Mike Harvey and Jim White who were really good friends with Dan. I also am thinking about Dan's student Daniel who I met at Ellington this year and is the greatest HS lead trumpeter I've heard. He is a great testament to Dan and honors him well! 

​Gathering to celebrate this time! It was good to see so many people last night. This was Elijah’s last gig before his college career starts Friday! He received a scholarship from the West MI Jazz Society and as a result got to play a couple of tunes with the Grand Rapids Jazz ORchestra!
Both organizations hold a dear spot in my heart. The jazz society awarding me the 2014 jazz musician of the year will always be a deep honor for me, and the GRJO I started playing with as a junior in high school when it was the Aquinas College Night Band under the great Bruce Early. My teacher Mr. Dan Kovats would bring me to rehearsals! I played lead trp., Solo trp ., and drums with them. I owe a debt to so many current and past members for their contributions to my musical journey!
I have had many many awesome students who I love and am so proud of over the years many doing great things musical and non musical around the world but none have been as special as Lij! What an awesome way to bond with my nephew! He is the student I taught the longest as I started teaching him in 3rd grade. He is smarter than I could ever hope to be! He is very talented but has worked diligently for where he is. It has been fun to introduce him to so many of my friends in the jazz world. Despite all his accolades and accomplishments and brilliance, he is still one of the most kind and respectful people I know! He is a HS graduate and still says he loves me every time I see him! I will miss our weekly get togethers but am so happy to turn the reigns over to one of my dear brothers Mr. Keith Hall! Love you Lij and thank you for so many memories! Remember me for comp tickets when you are sharing the stage with my heroes!

I did a little video/recording with my good friend Lisa Sung as a musical thank you to so many that have shown so much love over the past year! Big thanks to my good friends Steve Boughton and Jen Shangraw for their amazing work always! You can see the video on the videos page on this website!

I had Talia's graveside service for just our immediate family. I am so grateful for my family and all the love and support they have given me though this very trying season in my life. Love you all. We had blue roses which was Talia's favorite. 

I bought tickets to go see my hero Jon Faddis play at Dizzys to celebrate his 69th birthday. He called and said you're bringing your horn right? I said heck no! He said I brought mine to yours so you have to bring yours to mine! I couldn't argue! LOL As intimidating as it was, I had so much fun sharing the stage with my hero and such amazing trumpet players. A night I'll never forget!