I get by with a little help from my friends

Julie is a forever friend and colleague.  When she first listened to recording of the Strayhorn piece, she remarked, "This is weird."  Which meant, in our language of conversation,  that of course she would play it with gusto. I can't think of anyone else I'd want to play this tune with, or the "Remembrances"

My beloved spouse of many decades. Our 4-bedroom house has no kids and only one room with horn stuff. That leaves plenty of room for drum gear, including the basement Drum Lair.  In it we found all sorts of things to contribute to "Soundings."   Dave contributed creative and moral support throughout the creation of this recital. 

Melissa joined the Swing Sisterhood Jazz Big Band on sax. Then she brought her flute to a rehearsal and wowwww. She made Mary Lou Williams' Music For Peace really swing! Whenever I've hosted sessions to make music out of "stuff" Melissa shows up - and with her own stuff made into instruments! 

I heard tell about a cellist in Northfield who used guitar pedals. Plus she was an engineer with a focus on Sustainability. Naturally, I had to track her down and beg to be her pal.  We have encouraged each other to buy more gear ever since! Check out her Hot Spot Music space or the BadMama group!

Maybe you have heard Stephanie live around town, but she has also toured with Bon Iver and played at Coachella, Montreaux Jazz, and more. Check out her sound with the group The Society of Chemists. Only recently did I discover her piano and composing chops, and I barely explained the Sadie Carr piece before she said "I'm in"

Samantha's imagination knows no bounds. She is a composer by trade and also a trombonist. On this recital, she is playing quartz crystal "singing bowls" on the new piece by Sadie Carr.  I consulted her about the piece and I also solicited her input on "Soundings" because  collaborative composition on this level is both exciting and terrifying. I'm so glad Sam is on board!

Gina is a horn goddess. She can play anything.  And she does, as an active freelance musician in the Twin Cities. Gina is a founding member of the Pavia Winds, a professional wind quintet whose ambitious programming sets a standard of excellence.  Gina and I have compatible horn sounds, and so it's great fun to gig together because we sound awesome. Plus it's nice to work with a kind and compassionate colleague in the biz

Another fabulous horn player, with a  specialty in playing low notes.  Where I make a passable show of playing low stuff, Kim shows me how much I'm faking it! But Kim's camaraderie is boosts my confidence, and we always enjoy making light of whatever "biz games" are going on around us at jobs. Kim is a terrific horn teacher too, and I just might work up the courage to ask her for a lesson on low notes.

Emily is a powerhouse of a person whose tenacity to pursue her goals turns obstacles into opportunities. So naturally, then, she's a horn player. She's also a senior data engineer at CHS agribusiness, and a faculty in data science at St. Thomas. 

The horn students who have graced my teaching studio are wonderful human beings whose unique personalities shine through their horn sounds. I'm not biased, they are really fantastic people!