I've been remiss with writing the next column primarily due to the fact that there are so many distracting things happening in the world at the moment that I find it difficult to talk about music without referring to what's going on around us. Anyway, as much as I would be inclined to comment on the situation at hand, I'd rather stick to the subject matter: music and art!

I just did a few concerts with Miroslav Vitous in Italy, and it was an extremely challenging and inspiring experience. Miroslav has written some hauntingly beautiful music (check out his new ECM cd) that we played in quartet. There is an elasticicity to playing on the music that I have never quite experienced before. That is to say that the form can change, elongate, or shorten, and chords don't necessarily change where indicated. This means that you have to listen very carefully to everyone. I found myself playing much shorter phrases, and different kinds of melodies than usual. The music took on a conversational quality that sounded really cool to my ears. We are due to do some more concerts in Italy this summer.

I'm still working with Sibelius music software, and finally getting the hang of it. It is a really great program. It has enabled me to write away from a keyboard exclusively. Having the ability to hear things after the fact is more than enough to facilitate leaving the piano behind. In trying to hear things in my head more thoroughly I am able to find some different stuff to write. Very exciting!

The 'Jackets are gearing up to start a recording project this summer. I've been writing some new tunes using Sibelius and I think I have come up with something a little different. One tune in particular was conceived around a bird call I heard while walking the dogs in the woods near our house. Two birds were singing two different triads in a conversation that had an amazing flow. I've tried to write a tune around these bird calls. See what happens.... Keep your ears open at all times. You never know when you may hear something interesting!

This July a live big band recording is being released on the MCG label (Telarc) with Kurt Elling as a guest. It is one of the best things the band has done, musically and sonically. Kurt is an unusual singer that does some wild stuff with his voice. We did an arrangement of "Eye of the Hurricane" that is roaring.

Keep the music flowing, dont forget to vote in November, and strive for tone!