SOPHOMORE ALBUM IN THE WORKS

Happy Spring to all!! I hope everyone is enjoying the change in scenery as much I am. I have regularly been finding myself in my new spacious practice room (playing to the open waters of the Hudson River). Nothing like serenity to help you focus your ideas, and overcome personal obstacles!!

A lot of great musical and personal events have been happening since my last newsletter. Along the same timeline, I have had some personal loss. The latter has cracked me wide open, and I am very excited to continue my growth as a communicating musician and human.

This month's mantra.. "What is a city, but the people." -W. Shakespeare

The personal relationships I develop with everyone I encounter are very important to me, as well as the way I communicate with others. Which is why I am thrilled to announce the progress of my sophomore recording. Last month, I headed to the studio with 4 of my favorite musicians on the planet (Sam Harris - piano, Jake Saslow - Saxophone, Joe Sanders - Bass and Justin Brown - Drums) to record my second album. The rough mixes sound amazing, and I am very grateful for the way my fellow bandmates helped bring life to my compositions!! The next steps I am going to be taking are editing, mixing, composing and overdubbing string, vocal and percussion parts, mastering, artwork, liner notes... the list goes on! In the next few weeks/month I will be sending out more info on how you can hear and be involved in the project. Stay tuned!

A few days after my April recording, I headed out to Europe with the great Eddie Palmieri and his Latin Jazz band, subbing for the incredible Brian Lynch.

We had a great and exhausting time performing twelve shows in two weeks, with concerts in Bastia, Corsica; Milan, Italy; Zürich, Switzerland; Istanbul, Turkey; Vienna, Austria; Cologne, Germany and London, England. It's truly on honor to perform alongside a true master of the Latin Jazz genre. I came back a little tired.. but full of wonderful experiences that have fostered progress in my musicianship.

A few other March/April highlights... I had the priviledge to perform with the Nicholas Payton Big Band for the first week of March at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Jazz @ Lincoln Center. It's always an honor to be put on the same stage as my musical mentors/influences. Playing with Nicholas was definitely no exception! Later that month, I performed at the Blue Note in New York with the Neo-Soul singer, Chrisette Michelle. We had a three-night tribute to Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn.

Other gigs and projects and recordings have all been thrown in the mix, but that'll do it for today. Now get off your computer and GO OUTSIDE!!! ;)

Comments

[Rene Reyes]

Philip
It's really wonderful to read about your success and your new album and all the wonderful places your passion has brought you. God bless. I wish you continued good health and success in all of your endeavors.
Rene

PS really cool on the improv comedy. ;)