New York City is still the world center for musical activity and community, especially for the kinds of music that I gravitate towards. 2026 started on the right footing for me with a round-robin of gigs, sessions, and hangs that sharpened my reflexes and nourished my soul. Here’s some highlights:
Sunday, Jan. 3- John Hicks Salute @ The Cutting Room
Arnie Perez’s “Sunday Serenades” have been a NYC area institution over the last (getting on 20?) years, fulfilling a niche for veteran musicians and audiences alike with its emphasis on OG players and themes. Hats off to Arnie for continuing to present this much-needed series – even while battling health issues he keeps on keeping on, and our music community is so much the better for it. Playing John Hicks’s great tunes in the company of Elise Wood (long-time associate of John’s who put the repertoire together) on flute, Bill Saxton on tenor saxophone, Arturo O’Farrill (our first time playing together and a lot of fun!) on piano, John Webber on bass, and the inimitable Victor Jones on drums was a blast!
These soirées are always an opportunity to see old friends, colleagues I haven’t seen for a while, and stalwart audience members who I’ve been seeing in the front row of gigs for multiple decades. It was great to espy fellow trumpeter and close friend Bryan Davis in the room, along with his wife Cynthia.
BL, Cynthia and Bryan Davis
Bryan is a great player and a whiz at decoding the Zen (as well as the mechanics) of trumpet playing; I always learn something from him every time that we get together for a trumpet hang, as we did later in the week. His YouTube videos, instructional books of trumpet exercises, and private teaching (online and in person) are highly recommended!
Thursday, Jan. 8 – Alexander Claffy Quartet @ Birds
Claffy, Colin, BL going left on a standard
Birds is a fairly new spot down in the Village, close enough to my NYC headquarters that I can walk to the gig. Bassist Alexander Claffy, who I’ve been playing with a good bit in Carl Allen’s Messengers alumni project, invited me on a little hit with some other excellent players (Claffy is really playing his you-know-what off), tenor saxophonist Charles Owens and drummer Colin Stranahan. We had a great time playing some tunes together, and got into some interesting areas as the night progressed.
One of my favorite folks and a long-time friend, the great trumpeter James Zollar, came by with his horn to hang and play a bit (as I did) on the jam session that followed our sets. James is someone that you should know more about – an original voice with a musical personality sure to pique your interest and warm your soul.
BL and James checking out the session (thanks, Ted Panken, for the photo)
He’s been a part of groups as diverse as Mercer Ellington, David Murray, Don Byron (“Bug Music”), and even Eddie Palmieri. Here’s an example of his individual approach on one of his own albums:
Friday, Jan. 9 – The Eddie Palmieri Experience @ Unity Festival (Jazz At Lincoln Center – Allen Room)
Eddie has ascended to the celestial plane, but his music lives on. Latter-day Palmieri stalwarts Louis Fouché and Luques Curtis put together a great band featuring Palmieri alumni (myself, Conrad Herwig, Jimmy Bosch, Little Johnny Rivero, Jose Clausell, Camilo Molina) plus Zaccai Curtis holding down Eddie’s chair and Jeremy Bosch on vocals for this tribute.
The Palmieri family came out in force for this show!
Elena, Eydie, BL, Conrad, Gabriela
Saturday, Jan 10 – Mixing Session for upcoming (March 6) release on Hollistic MusicWorks – “Torchbearers” (Brian Lynch Quintets featuring Charles McPherson and special guest vocalist)
David Darlington, my audio partner in crime for many years, and I putting the final touches on a very special project (more news on this soon):
Monday, Jan 12 – Session at 11th Street Bar with Richard Clemons, Joe Magnarelli, and friends.
Saw a lot of folks out for this one (a Monday night institution for many years) – I was very happy to see Cory Weeds, the force behind Cellar Jazz and a wonderful saxophonist in his own right. I had many good times out in Vancouver playing for Cory back in the day (and recording a live album at his club, “Fuchsia/Red”, in 2003):
Cory Weeds and BL
And it’s always a treat to hear Joe Magnarelli play. He is a practitioner of real, no B.S., improvisation in the classic style: flawless technique in all registers employed in the service of real ideas, steady control of style and ideas, conciseness, able to swing hard and execute what he’s hearing at any tempo. One of the unsung heroes, though for those who know, he’s always sought out. Giving out lessons every time he picks up the horn!
Jan. 14th: Recording Session At East Side Sound; Samara Joy Jam Session Uptown
The session for San Diego pianist Irving Flores, my second album date playing his music, went great, as well it should with such a stellar lineup: David Sanchez on tenor sax, John Benitez on bass, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez on drums, and Roberto Quintero on percussion. Great tunes and a historic studio in my downtown neighborhood – I always love when I can walk to a gig or session!
(bottom row) Roberto, El Negro, David, Irving; (top row) John, BL
Then a cab uptown to meet my former student (and Hollistic MusicWorks artist) Jason Charos at a jam session hosted by his employer, the astounding Samara Joy.
As some of you may know, I produced (along with Samara) her most recent release, Portrait, which is up for a couple of Grammys next month. I had a lot of fun hanging out and playing a bit with a crew of fine young players, including other members of her band. They are swinging and staying true to the music – as does Samara. I am so proud of my association with this down-home, low-key, but Category 5 force talented young woman, and admire her commitment to service and fostering community.
BL and Samara
All too soon, time to move on to the next thing – but I sure had a good start to the year. I needed it. What with all the travesty and hideousness going on out there, gathering in the midst of my New York City community of musicians gives me strength to face the music – and the noise.