Hi Everyone,
Thinking of all of us out here dealing with this crisis, feeling the anxiety, the bravery, the hope, the anger and disappointment, all of it. Grieving for everyone we’ve lost in our community, and for our art form, so fragile and endangered along with all the performing arts at this time. Missing playing music together with friends, colleagues and students.
In the midst of all this, I’m striving to keep the music alive and strong in my heart by woodshedding, sharing with my students, and listening. It’s been great to hear all of you out there contributing your sound on line – I’m enjoying you and learning from you every day! I’m trying to listen to myself better as well, in hopes of closing the gap between the sound in my mind and what comes out of the horn during this enforced hiatus from performing.
I’m thankful for any and all good news right now, and I was happy to hear that my efforts in the field in the past year have been recognized by The Jazz Journalists Association by tow nominations for their 2020 awards, in the categories of Trumpeter Of The Year and Arranger Of The Year. It’s great to be so recognized by this distinguished group; I’ve previously won JJA Trumpeter Of The Year and Album Of The Year (for Madera Latino) awards in 2017, and a Latin Jazz Album Of The Year award back in 2007 for Simpatico. Thank you, JJA!