Greetings, and happy holidays to you all! December usually winds up being a time for reflection, to spend tine with friends and family, and to see if there is room for improvement in the New Year. I hope we can all find some peace, new meaning, and serenity in the times ahead.

It’s curious how things happen sometimes. A few weeks ago I got stranded In Tulsa, Oklahoma for roughly 48 hours due to severe weather. I wound up hanging around the local airport for two days. Thankfully I had a wonderful new book to study. It’s called The Jazz Musician’s Guide to Creative Practicing by David Berkman. Sher Music is the publisher. The book will be available early in 2007. David Berkman has come up with a terrific book to use as a springboard for practicing all kinds of things pertaining to improvising and general musicianship. Some of the topics Dave explores I have already dealt with in one-way or another. But he puts a very concise and clever spin on the whole process of finding things to practice. I have already used the book in my practicing and teaching. Along with lots of concrete information you will find some wonderful anecdotes and philosophy that will have you pondering the meaning of it all!

Another good book I’ve been reading on long plane rides is Victor Wooten’s The Music Lesson. (vixboox@aol.com) Victor is a deep musician, and he spins a tale of musical awareness in a very clever way. He has some great ways of thinking about certain musical issues that will get the wheels turning. I strongly recommend this book for all students of music.

Just returned from the Bangkok Jazz festival that was packed with interesting musical moments and inspiration that’s got me thinking. One of the highlights of the festival was Tower of Power. For me this is one of the best bands out there today. Their music and presentation is so powerful and uplifting. The band plays like one living organism. All ten players breathe together at all times. What a sound and feel! You should all go see Tower of Power play live first chance you get.

Thailand has a great vibe. People there were very friendly and soulful. The king is a jazz saxophonist and composer as well. I participated in a jam session in which we played a few of the king’s compositions. The crowd of 5,000 people started to cheer when we played the king’s tunes. What a great feeling to see a country where the leader is so revered and respected. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to see and experience this first-hand.

The new quartet recording “In the Moment” is now available from Art of Life Records ( info@artofliferecords.com). I’m pretty happy with this project. Phil Markowitz, John Riley, and Jay Anderson, my long-term band mates played so beautifully. I’m honored and proud to be on a recording with these guys.

Speaking of Phil, John, and Jay, who comprise the rhythm section in my big band, we are preparing for a 9-day tour in February 07, with the big band culminating with a recording session at MCG in Pittsburg. I’m really looking forward to getting out and playing multiple dates with the band. I also have found a new sense of respect for what booking agents and managers do, after booking and handling this tour on my own. This is a massive amount of work!! But I’m glad to be doing it for the sake of the experience and seeing how it all fits together.

Heading to Denmark last week of January to do some concerts and record with the Danish Radio Big Band. We will do a bunch of my old big band tunes, which should be interesting. Most of the DMP big band recordings are no longer available, so it will be nice to have this music see the light of day again. In reviewing some of these old charts while adding 5th trombone and trumpet pasts, I realized that this stuff isn’t half bad.I think we tend to favor the more recent music we are working on, as it reflects more of what we are into right now. But it’s a good thing to look back occasionally and see where you’ve come from. It sometimes helps to determine where you might be going.

Remember, every experience you encounter in your life comes by for a reason. It will make you a better and stronger person. Keep moving forward even in the face of adversity, and try to see the positive in everything you do and everyone you meet.

Good health and nice notes!