Going into battle armed with a trumpet.

I laughed. I cried. Better than Cats. Wait a minute, it is a cat! Nora the Cat, performing the Catcerto.

This article in the New York Times, Peak Performance: Why Records Fall, cites some research into how the greats become great (hint: it involves the "p-word").

Ok, maybe I haven't solved that one in its entirety. But I'm certain I grok music. For now. Maybe.

Pianist Nick Manson has played and recorded with many of the greats, as well as leading his own smokin' band. Read his thoughts on connecting with other players and being an innovative musician in the 21st Century.

As I was cleaning out my closet recently, I happened across some autographs of famous musicians that I have met over the years. I feel blessed that I got to shake hands and hang with these legendary jazz artists (some of whom have passed on), and humbled to have shared the stage with several of them.