Two all-time piano greats are visiting Boston this weekend, and I had to see them both. First up, on Halloween night, the most genial of piano virtuosos, Bill Charlap. He was at the RegattaBar in the Charles Hotel, with his sensitive, disciplined trio of David Wong, bass and Dennis Mackrel, drums. Bill is the master of dynamics, of the elegant run, of how to keep a solo interesting.

Joe Farnsworth (photo by Osmel Portuondo Azcuy) Joe Farnsworth is a man of many mottos: "Listen to learn, and learn to listen;" You can never be wrong if you know the song;" and, of course, "Time to Swing." He's more than a drummer - he is a sensitive, generous musician with big ears and a big heart. His stories, often quite funny, are instructive, whether you aspire to play this great music or just appreciate it more deeply.

Cheadle learning to play trumpet for his role as Miles Davis. In his forthcoming film about Miles, Don Cheadle is looking, as Davis did, for an "opportunity to play what’s not there.” Here is the full article, as published in the April 2016 DownBeat.

Congratulations to the 2025 Winners of the 30th annual Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Awards. Pleased to see awards go to some of my favorite artists, including George Coleman, winner of the Lifetime Achievement in Jazz award. A special shout-out to my friends in New York Voices, who were cited as best jazz vocal group!

Crossing Paths (Smoke Sessions) is the album pianist Renee Rosnes always wanted to make. My cover story in the January DownBeat Magazine, is now online here. The album features several Brazilian music icons (Edu Lobo, Joyce Moreno, Maucha Adnet) and an amazing band including Chico Pinheiro, Chris Potter, John Patitucci and other masters. Let me know what you think!