I’m excited to be the Music Director for the Obie Awards (celebrating off-Broadway drama) on May 23rd. The host will be my longtime friend, Lea Delaria. Read more here.

I’m really proud to share the new Nancy Harms music video of our version of “I Like the Sunrise.” I did this arrangement for Nancy, which features Danton Boller on bass and Willie Jones III on drums. Our CD, “Ellington at Night,” is currently available for pre-order.

Check it out below:

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For the second-straight year (and third time overall) I’ve been named a winner of the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award. See the press release here. ASCAP awarded the honor for my song, “Kneel.”

The marvelous Colorado critic and music scholar, Thomas Cunniffe, included “Housewarming” among his best in the year. Check out the full list here.

Ottawa Citizen jazz critic extraordinaire Peter Hum named Housewarming the #2 best vocal jazz album of the year. Check out the complete list here.

Broadway World has released their 2015 New York Cabaret Awards and “Ellington at Night,” the show that I helped create as musical director is nominated for “Best Show, Female” and the fabulous Nancy Harms is nominated for “Best Jazz Vocalist.” Check out the link here.

My new recital program is ready! I’ll be alternating between pieces by two great icons of American music – Duke Ellington and Paul Simon.

While Ellington’s music imbues the lives of America’s working classes with sophistication and elegance, Simon’s songs shine the spotlight on the personal and internal dramas of the American middle-class.

The recital will be performed:

Thursday, October 22: Cedarville University; Cedarville, OH (7:30, PM)

Saturday, October 24: In-home concert; Melbourne, FL (7:30 PM)

Sunday, October 25: Orchid Island; Vero Beach, FL (6 PM cocktail hour, 7:45 PM performance)

Monday, November 2: Dalton Center Recital Hall; Kalamazoo, MI (7:30, PM)

More dates to come!

The full program is below:

Rockin’ in Rhythm               Ellington

Graceland                               Simon

Pie’s Eye Blues                      Ellington

American Tune                      Simon

Single Pedal                           Ellington

50 Ways                                 Simon

Daydream                              Ellington/Strayhorn

Rene & Gerogette Magritte  Simon

Caravan                                  Ellington/Tizol

Still Crazy                               Simon

Perdido                                  Ellington/Tizol

You Can Call Me Al                Simon

Enjoy this video of the “Six Minute Tango” from a performance for Kansas Public Radio: