Giving Thanks to the Givers

True Tunes Podcast + State of Jazz + You

I hope everyone receiving this brief Thanksgiving edition of the newsletter will be with friends and family tomorrow (Thursday 27th) smothered in general goodness (maybe some gravy too).

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from our family.

This past week I had a run-in with a taker. This has made me especially grateful for the Giver and the givers. Andi and I want to thank all of you for your continual support of what we put our hearts and hands to. Thank you for giving us your time, attention, and the occasional purchase too. All of this is part of what allows us to continue to create and add to the world what we long to see. Here’s to all you givers!

Whether you’re chillin’ or cookin’, you will enjoy this jumbo podcast done by the givers at True Tunes, John Thompson and Bruce Brown. I don’t know if a more complete picture of my recording career exists than this remarkably thorough production. I wanna shed a little tear for having these two rock journalist/aficionados exceed all expectations and make me feel known and seen. Thank you, Bruce and John. Well done. Listen here now: https://truetunes.podbean.com/

Also a shoutout to the Spotify Jazz Editorial team for placing “Promise of Fellowship Kept” on their playlist STATE OF JAZZ: New Jazz for Open Minds. The quintet of myself, Brian Blade, Jeff Coffin, Scott Mulvahill, and Roger Smith are featured alongside Snarky Puppy, John Scofield, Nate Smith, Esperanza Spalding, Bill Frisell, Theo Croker and many other compelling artists.

Be still, my soul, and steadfast.
Earth and heaven both are still watching
though time is draining from the clock
and your walk, that was confident and quick,
has become slow.

So, be slow if you must, but let
the heart still play its true part.
Love still as once you loved, deeply
and without patience. Let God and the world
know you are grateful. That the gift has been given.

—The Gift by Mary Oliver