Duende Libre

Today is Jazz Appreciation Day. It’s one of the great tragic ironies of history that Jazz, a black American art form, has tended to find greater appreciation outside the borders of the country where it was born. But I believe and hope this can change.

For me personally, Jazz is a reminder of what truly makes our nation great — it’s the contributions of black, brown, indigenous, and immigrant communities who, against all odds, continue to show the world what it means to be resilient in the face of struggle and adversity. The story of Jazz in America is at its heart a celebration of what it means to be a human being: never perfect, always evolving, deeply alive.

Happy Jazz Appreciation Day ❤️

📷 William P. Gottlieb

WOW. On behalf of Jeff, Farko and yours truly we want to thank our community for showing up for us BIG TIME last week at to celebrate our first decade as a trio!!!

Thanks also to Jazz Alley for making us feel at home from the moment we stepped in the door and to for sponsoring the show.

It’s one of the great joys and privileges of my life to have the opportunity to develop original music with world-class musicians and share it with our beloved community. To paraphrase the Nguni Bantu term Ubuntu, “I am because we are.” 💛

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The trio had a blast participating in the magic that was Jazz Night In Pioneer Square a few weeks back!! Huge thanks to and for breathing new life into our beloved jazz community and to for sharing their beautiful space. And of course props to for somehow figuring out how to be in multiple places at once to capture all the action! 🔥

10 years ago today we played our debut show as Duende Libre !!!

So proud of all we’ve accomplished together and feel incredibly lucky to share the journey with amazing musicians and fans who are like family to me. 💛

On a related note, honored to be nominated for 3 (!) Golden Ear awards !!

👂NW Recording of the Year

👂NW Instrumentalist of the Year

👂NW Concert of the Year

Please consider casting your vote before Mar 2 (link in bio)!

#2016