Enjoying the moment. with the Jazz Composers Orchestra.
With Maria Schneider, one of my favorite composers, at Birdland.
At the Lafayette Summer Music Workshop, with Alan Ferber and John Daversa.
NEA Jazz Master Benny Golson, at a master class for Fresno City College jazz students.
Inspired by Benny Golson…now, signed by Benny!
We are just good friends. I swear.
With Robin Eubanks at the Thailand Jazz Workshop, 2019.
Before the gig, Cyprus Jazz Workshop. L to R: Cahit Kutrafali, Damian Erskine, Mike, J. Kyle Gregory, Rob Thomas.
Getting serious with Gary Hobbs, Antonio Hart, and Damian Erskine at US Embassy in Bangkok
Working with advanced guitarists in a master class, in Northern Cyprus.
Directing the reading band at LSMW.
It was a real treat to teach and perform with my wife Julie at the Lebanon Jazz Workshop in Beirut (thank you, Jazz Education Abroad!)
Gilbert Castellanos, the guest artist for the 2018 City Jazz Festival (my last as Director of Jazz Studies at FCC.) Gilbert played in my very first band at FCC, 28 years earlier. It was an amazing “full circle” experience.
Concert with the Allison Miller Quartet. We were US State Department Cultural Envoys to Thailand! Note guest artist Dave Glenn on trombone.
2018 was a great year. I was named California Jazz Educator of the Year and inducted into the California Alliance for Jazz Hall of Fame. It’s an honor to be included with so many great educators!At a festival in Lefkosa. Northern Cyprus.
