Nov 9, 2014

Pittsburgh lost a true legend and gentleman with the passing of Dr. Kwasi Jayourba on Tuesday, 11/4/14. He was a great teacher, performer, mentor, colleague, and most of all, my friend. Kwasi had an amazing life and career, and performed with jazz greats such as Groove Holmes, Jimmy McGriff, Earl Garner, and Sonny Stitt. He also was friend with such greats as Max Roach, Miles Davis, and Armando Perazza. I will miss his many stories and am fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from…

Wednesday, November 5, 2014 

from an op-ed this morning in Wired……

I do, I know very well. I know the pain of being too far away for far too long from New Orleans. But late is better than never, so I am bound for the swamp, the land that spawned the music I love so much, to sing to the people who have survived both massive flooding and the Bush administration. So, if you have any friends down that way, do tell them to stop in.



My first stop is actually in Valley Head, Alabama. I have never been to Alabama. I am going to be part of a Women's…

Oct 29, 2014

At the End of The Tunnel ( DifferenceI Ripple weave Wind Esfera )jpg

At The End of The Tunnel( DifferenceI Ripple DistorsiónII Destello Reflection…

                Sou nuvem passageira orvalhando a semente brotando o amor, onde as vezes corre se esconde como castelo de areia na beira do mar. Olha você sabe o meu coração ama demais e apaixonou por ti...não tenho culpa ...pois amo amar você. O meu amor é seu você faz parte de mim é minha vida sim , o mosso…

Most all of my music jazz music heros are, or were, black artists. It is sad to think of the hardships that many had to endure because of the regressive times like the 20"s and 30"s when some of the greatest black artist were struggling to be heard and find a place in the music world. We are all helpless products of our time and black artists reflected those bad times and, for most, overcame almost incredible odds to become artists. As a white pianist, it is very disturbing to be performing…

October 10th marks the 97th birthday of Thelonius Monk. His music will be heard in an all-day marathon broadcast on WKCR.org  (WKCR 89.9 FM New York)

WKCR is not an ordinary radio station. On October 10, 1941, KCR began its initial broadcast playing Gene Krupa's, "Swing is Here" featuring Roy Eldridge, Chu Berry, Benny Goodman, Jess Stacy, Allan Reuss, Israel Crosby & Gene Krupa.  During KCR's first year, Monk was broadcast, through a remote pickup,  "live" from Minton's…

Below is a prime example of what is happening to jazz. You have one or two "safe" legends like Sonny Rollins and Billy Taylor , but the rest is a probably a "whitewash" of the new face of jazz. What is especially offensive is Tony Monaco giving any "master"…

Sep 25, 2014

Sep 24, 2014

Vintage Postal Stamp ( Poem )

Turn of the century Vintage Stamps

Traceable history make value enhance

Prices get higher as the years go by

Dream of finding one valued so high

Extremely fine with the perfect gum

Designer flaws bring high premium

Famous from error illustration

Collection of art inspiration

We are crazy for detailed graphics

Finding rare depends on the markets

Unused are the old collectibles

Their worth can…