Dear Friends,
Seems I haven’t written since the beginning of 2019…. It’s been quite a year for everyone on the Planet.

From much traveling and performing, being with family & friends when I can, suffering the loss of a very dear friend… recording Shoulder to Shoulder, teaching, trying to be involved in our democratic process when I can… I live quite a varied, lucky and rich Life for which I am very grateful.

Some highlights and lowlights :
The Women’s March in NYC, Hawaii in January, Pioneer Valley MA whenever I could get there, our week at Birdland/ NYC in March…
Back to the midwest— played in Great Bend KS where I was born! Recording Shoulder to Shoulder with that wonderful group of players (Helen, Ingrid,
Endea, Allison & Mindi & John D) … the process of helping put it together – I learned so much! My hope is that along with the exciting music and speeches/time-line of events, that it helps get the word out about voting rights and women’s (human) rights!

I always enjoy getting back to the beautiful northwest… Port Angeles, Seattle area house concerts, then to Chicago for our soulful annual at the Green Mill,
back to NYC and went on ‘The Hideous Man Walking Tour’, played with the great Gene Bertoncini at Mason’s Lodge in NYC – hearing the amazing Sheila Jordan at the Vermont Jazz Center, back to Washing State for Yakima/ Seasons show then the very cool club Triple Door in Seattle, and again back to Pioneer Valley to play in Whately MA. at that amazing Chapel.
Then to the Canary Islands in Spain… actually closer to Africa – beautiful theaters there…. then to Tokyo at the Cotton Club – great club and we love Japan!

Enjoyed a little down-time in Hawaii on the way back —

I must speak a bit about one of my best friends Beth Skelley – after coming back from Japan, I got the news that she was killed in a freak camping accident – as if she was ‘chosen’ … A tree fell on her tent…. we are all still bereft at the loss of our very beautiful friend. If we’re lucky enough to move on in life we suffer losses that seem unbearable -and are changed because of them…. so we somehow sing about them and get through them, she will never be forgotten.

I visit with my dear Mom whenever I can in Minneapolis… then to San Francisco – played Feinstein’s a sweet club with Miro and Jeff (playing music with them is a balm!) then to beautiful Napa Valley— Catalina’s in Hollywood — back to NYC at Smoke Jazz Club on the upper west side with Bruce Barth, Ed Howard and Mark Walker — lovely !

Back to the midwest for We Always Swing series in Columbia MO with Miro, Gerald Spaits and Todd Strait…. then to sweet “Winters” Jazz Club in Chicago and the Dakota in Mpls with Miro, Larry Kohut and Dave Schmalenberger— then to Omaha ! At the new Jewell Jazz Club – so happy it’s there! And along with my band, my dear friend and drummer Mary O’Keefe sat in with us – great fun.

Was a guest at Jazz At Lincoln Center/Cabaret Series curated by Deb Winer- such a treat to hear so many talents!

Then off to Spain for 5 shows;
Guadajara at their beautiful theater…. Lleida at their soulful jazz club (amazing dinner at near by restaurant) Palencia- a beautiful Teatro Principal,
Madrid- at the historic Clamores Jazz Club, and Lugo at their Circulo de las Artes (also an amazing dinner there at near by restaurant — veggie Paella!)
Had great fun with “Javi” our driver/ road manager in  Spain … our “5th Beatle” !

Back home in NYC heard some wonderful friends from West Virginia (check their stuff out “Talking Between the Lines”) singing about coal mining, mountain top removal… very meaningful ! Also heard drummer Allison Miller’s band at Birdland, Ron Carter’s band with cellos, and Jay Leonhart’s trio — great music! Also got to hear Nicholas Payton trio fantastic, Lezlie Harrison always great, and Johnny O’Neal – inspiring !

Now we’re off to New Orleans, look out!

Thanks for reading … See you out there somewhere.