Byron Stripling in Holland, MI

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!