Back to Cologne, Germany for four days of recording some new charts for an upcoming CD with this incredible band!  Pinch me!!  So delighted Sara Caswell (vln.) could join this time as featured guest soloist.  After having violin as a mainstay in my own Jazz Surge for over 15 years, I realize how much I hear it as part of the normal fabric of my big band writing.  Not sure when the music will become available as completion of the recording has not yet been scheduled; but you can be sure I’ll let you know about it!!

The International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers https://isjac.org welcomed over 200 jazz composers and artists to its 2^nd Jazz Composers’ Symposium, May 16-18.  Hosted by the University of Northern Colorado, the 3-day conference was incredibly inspiring – from the presentations of our featured guest artists: Vince Mendoza, Ron Miles/Bill Frisell, Darcy James Argue, Christine Jensen, and Chris Potter to the unveiling of so much new music by amazingly talented composers.  I am so delighted and honored to be a part of this creative community, grateful to the members of the ISJAC Board who have given so much of their time and energy to ensuring the success of this event and growth of this organization, and proud to have had a role in envisioning and producing this bi-annual event.  Now to get ready for Austin in 2021!!!

Had an absolutely wonderful time working with the wonderful faculty and students at the following university festivals this past spring.  Many thanks for including me and for all the hard work on behalf of the students (and faculty) in preparing the concerts of my music!!

• Elon University Jazz Festival – Jan Metzger – Chair, Dept. of Music & Rusty Smith – Jazz Ens. Director
• Illinois State Univ. Jazz Festival – Dr. Tom Marko, Dir. Of Jazz Studies
• Appalachian State Univ. Contemporary Music Festival – Todd Wright, Dir. Of Jazz Studies, & Adam Summey, Pres. Phi Mu Alpha

Had the unexpected honor and pleasure of moderating the National Endowment for the Art’s Women Big Band Leaders Roundtable at the 2019 Jazz Congress while NEA Director of Music and Opera, Anne Meier Baker, was furloughed due to the ongoing Federal Government shutdown. Panelists Maria Schneider, Miho Hazama, & Sherrie Maricle made it easy on me with their astute insights and easy-going repartee.

Traveled to Cologne, Germany for a fantastic week of rehearsals culminating at a performance at the Kulturhaus Lyz in Siegen.  Selected wide-ranging sets of my compositions & arrangements from the earliest Surge recordings to the very latest.  Was a lot of fun revisiting some of those charts – especially with that band!!   Looking forward to our next project!  Stay tuned!!