I just concluded a recording project of my music featuring my core band – Nancy Harms and Lucas Pino – plus guest vocalists Kendra Shank, Peter Eldridge, and Kurt Elling. We hope to have it released in early 2015.

Alongside my piano colleagues Silvia Roederer and Lori Sims, I’ll be performing at the evening recital of the MMTA convention in Kalamazoo. We’re presenting a program with an All-American theme, and my recital will focus on the works of Duke Ellington.

I’ll be performing at the Kitano every Tuesday (except the 14th!) in May. I’m going to be joined by fabulous duo partners each gig, so stay tuned! Sets are from 8-11 PM.

I’ve just signed up to become a Yamaha artist! I’ve had a long and wonderful relationship through Yamaha beginning with their Music Education System and now I’m thrilled to be involved with their Artist Services division.

My 2012 album, Finger-Songwriter was recognized as among the year’s best by two publications. Emusic.com ranked it as the 85th best album of any genre here. Then, Peter Hum of the Ottawa Citizen ranked his best CDs of the year, and included me amongst some of my musical heroes like Brad Mehldau and Fred Hersch. What an honor!

With a month to go, I think it’s fair to say that I’ve had an incredible year. You can read all about it in the linked Yamaha write-up. I’ve just updated my website and I have 28 upcoming performances, workshops, and tours already booked for the rest of 2012 and upcoming in 2013! Please take a look at my calendar and maybe you and I will be at the same place a the same time!

Finger-Songwriter has been placed on the Grammy ballot three times in two different categories – “Best Vocal Jazz Album” and “Best Instrumental Soloist” (me for “A Single Moment” and Lucas for “What is that Feeling?”).

I’m rather proud to announce that i’ve been named the winner of the Nottingham International Jazz Piano Competition, which took place this previous weekend in Nottingham, England.

The prize is a Kawai grand piano worth in the neighborhood of $25,000! Congrats to the other finalists, my dear friends Jerry Leonide, Angelo DiLoreto, and Nick Hetko.

I’m now officially a Professor of Piano at Western Michigan University. As such, I’ll be commuting back and forth between Kalamazoo and New York City.

Journalist Dave Sumner wrote a very nice review of our live show from last week in Louisville, Kentucky. In summary, “It was an evening of beautiful, outstanding music.”
Click the link to read!