Yesterday I traveled to my musical hometown of Hartford to play a concert at the Artists Collective.  Onstage, as a huge portrait of my teacher Jackie McLean smiled down on me, Vic Juris, Bob Cranshaw and Steve Johns, we ventured into a playful and diverse program that included music by composers from Freddie Hubbard to John Mayer.  The thrill of playing with these great musicians, the standing ovation we received, the Collective staff's gracious hospitality, and seeing Melonae, Dollie and Cheryl again were all highlights for me.  

Gil and I drove home from Hartford today with bittersweet thoughts after learning of the death of our dear friend, drummer Bob Siebern, in Florida.  If there's someone in your life you've been meaning to call—do it today.

We are back home now.  The manhunt for FBI poster boy #2 continues as half our neighborhood is in 24-hour lockdown, and the other half is in after-dark lockdown.  I was lucky to be able to get out and make the Hartford gig; it was looking dicey for a while.  Stay safe everyone.