Can't think of a title

Well I arrived in Hilton Head, South Carolina tonight at about midnight so can't really say to much about how the place looks, I'm sure I will have great things to report tomorrow when I see the place in the light. It was a long flight by the time all was said and done but it gave me a chance to listen to some great music. I have said this before but I will say it again. CHET BAKER is unreal. I have never heard Chet play like he has on all these quintet records I have with George Coleman. He did 5 records for Prestige in the early to mid sixties with George Coleman on tenor and Kirk Lightsey on piano. the rest of the section espcapes me at the moment. I guess I just associate Chet with the more commercial side of things which I loved but never got super into because it lacked something for me. Wow, was I wrong. Chet is really burning and he sounds so great on these records. Comin On, Smokin, Groovin and Boppin are the ones I have but I don't have the other one and the name is on the tip of my tongue but can't remember it. I don't know if Tom Harrell checked out Chet Baker but there are some major similarities there for sure. These records have been reissued on CD so you can pick them up. I would strongly suggest it. Coleman is on fire as is a young relatively unknown pianist Kirk Lightsey. SMOKING!!!!

I also got a chance to check out a live sessions that I recorded at The Cellar a little over a year ago with Jodi Proznick, Tilden Webb, Jesse Cahill and Steve Kaldestad. If this band had two night it could've easily been a LIVE record. Unfortunately it was only a one nighter but these 4 play so well together its amazing. I can only hope to achieve that level of musical communication one day. Thankfully we're going into the studio with this band at the beginning of July after a few gigs at the festival. This is going to be a great record. The tunes on the live session were beautiful. RB's LINE a great Wray Downes tune that Steve and Tilden absolutely tear apart. Blackbird, a gorgeous arrangement by Webb, Roundabout a very funky tune penned by Webb that can be heard on his trio record with Fathead as can his ballad Lady J which Kaldestad eats up. These guys reallly have something special. Steve needs to live here. He has some strikingly similar qualities to George Coleman in sound and approach.

Im kind of bummed out today. My sister moved to Toronto today and I wasn't anticipating feeling this bummed about it. Im happy for her though, she has some great opportunties there so it will be good for her but its the first time anyone in my family close to me has moved away other than me leaving.

Dee Daniles sounded absolutely wonderful last night with Tony Foster on piano, Russ Botten on bass and Jesse Cahill. The trio sounded freaking great. Jesse Cahill is such an awesome drummer, so tasteful and even when he's being subtle he is swinging his ass off. If you can, go check his website, jessecahill.com. Tony Foster was especially impressive. This guy does not get enough credit for his abilities. First off he accompanied Dee virtually perfectly and every solo he took was creative and he was going for it. Man he sounded killing. Russ Botten always sounds good, laying it down, super solid. Dee was noticeably more comfortable at The Cellar than she was last time and she really sounded wonderful. We recorded last night just for reference purposes but I think Dee really likes this band so who knows what will happen in the future but I'm hoping that she wants to record.

Speaking of great pianists, I had the pleasure of playing with Chris Sigerson two days in a row last week and he is another guy that doesn't get enough credit for his playing. Everything he plays just sits so well and he has a beautiful touch on the piano.

Thats it for now.