Why Durham and why Jazz? Three Reasons.

Why Durham and why Jazz? Three Reasons.

On Monday, Art of Cool Project co-founder Cicely Mitchell guest blogged at ArtsNowNC in a piece called “Why Durham, and why jazz?” She presents a few reasons for why Durham is poised for innovation and growth in jazz, both artistic output and audience. The...
My Week at Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute

My Week at Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute

This slideshow requires JavaScript. In my last blog post I announced that I had been invited to the prestigious Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute for a one-week jazz residency at their Chicago festival campus. It has been almost a month  and only now am I  able...
I Have Been Invited To Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute

I Have Been Invited To Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute

I recently received the most surprising, amazing phone call  – I have been invited to participate in a one week long jazz workshop with other young, rising jazz talents at the Chicago area’s famous Ravinia Festival! This is the kind of thing that you...
Inside The Score: Beast + Big Band edition

Inside The Score: Beast + Big Band edition

Though I did not blog about it when it happened, one of my favorite artistic achievements of 2013 was the release of The Beast + Big Band’s debut EP, Gardens. We titled the album Gardens for two reasons: 1) we initially assembled this thirteen-member hip hop...
Orphalese

Orphalese

Today marks the fourth anniversary of the best decision of my life so far – to embark on the sacred journey of marriage with Lauren Ann Schlenger Hirsh. Early  in our courtship, Lauren gifted me a copy of Kahlil Gibran’s 1923 classic, The Prophet. Part of...

So Many September Shows!

I am so excited for this particular month. It is chock full of great performances, and I get to play in no less than five configurations, from solo jazz piano, to singer-songwriter, to orchestral hip hop ensemble. Highlights include The Beast + Big Band opening for...