Well, glad to see 2012 go its way.  However, I have many great memories from this past year.  They all involved family and friends.  I had a blast spending time with my son at Cedar Point with our season passes and hanging out with our friends, The Koszkaldas.  I also enjoyed a top of December trip to Ann Arbor to visit with our friends, The Cases.  One of my favorite pictures of the year (above) features my son Nathan and Henry Case.  The holiday season also allowed for visits with so many of my dear friends and I feel blessed that my job allows me the time to make this all happen during the holiday season.  As for film and music, not much has changed since my last posting.  I will add the movie "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" to my favorites list.  As I glance at others' top 10 lists of jazz releases, I realize the new music has taken a change in a direction I no longer find appealing.  Maybe it's just that I'm getting older, but I'm more excited about the latest Japanese jazz reissues than the latest from Robert Glasper or Vijay Ayer.  I can count on one hand how many new releases I really dug this year.  Oh well, let's see what 2013 brings!

Planning to head to Pittsburgh for First Night.  What a great way to ring in the New Year!  This year the Dirty Dozen Brass Band will be the headliner to bring in 2013.  Cleveland's own Hubb's Groove will also be playing that night.
http://www.firstnightpgh.org/

It's a little early for a end of the year list, but I have been thinking about a few of the things I have been enjoying this year and here's a starter--

1. The Walking Dead- I just can't get enough of this show!
2. Donald Fagen- Sunken Condos
Fantastic new disc from the Steely Dan frontman with several memorable new gals to meet like Miss Marlene.
3. Moonrise Kingdom- Wacky and highly entertaining masterpiece from Wes Anderson with two newcomers that steal the show.
4. Jaws/E.T. - Great to see these boyhood favorites get restored for Blu-ray

My review of the Detroit Jazz Festival has just posted at ALL ABOUT JAZZ.  Click here to check it out.

Here's one of my favorite shots from the Detroit Jazz Festival.  It's Joey Baron playing with the Dave Douglas-Joe Lovano group.  My review of the festival should be posting soon at All About Jazz.  I'll keep you posted.  In the meantime, click on my Facebook link and check out more of my photos from Detroit.  Enjoy!

Well, I'm back from Detroit.  The jazz was hot and the times were great.  I'll have more details about this year's Detroit Jazz Festival soon.

I just finished the liner notes for an upcoming Criss Cross Jazz release by trombonist Conrad Herwig.  It's called A Voice Through the Door and is set to be released some time in September.  Be sure to check it out.  It features Ralph Bowen, Orrin Evans, Kenny Davis, and Donald Edwards.

Well, Labor Day weekend is coming up soon and if you're like me, you're thinking Detroit Jazz Festival.  It's a great line-up this year with a new festival director.  I'll be covering the fest for allaboutjazz.com and posting my photos and review.  See the link below for more info.
http://www.detroitjazzfest.com/12lineup.html

Welcome to the launch of my new website.  It's still under construction, but I'll be adding much more in the coming weeks!