This mural is a tribute to celebrated trumpeter and Oaktown Jazz Workshop founder Khalil Shaheed who recently died after a battle with cancer. I had great respect for Khalil as a musician and a friend to the community. I admired the work he did with Oaktown Jazz Workshop and supported them whenever I had an opportunity.

One of the last times I saw Khalil was on the opening night of the new home of the Oaktown Jazz Workshop at 55 Washington Street in Jack London Square. He was busy getting things ready for opening night. I had the pleasure of giving him the trumpet that I played in junior high school because I knew he would give it a good home. I also gave a framed copy of the photograph below which I took at Yoshi’s tribute to Khalil in April 2010. That was spectacular night and the community really came out to show their love. He will be greatly missed but he has left a great legacy for all of us to treasure.

Love and peace Khalil!

Lots of love, friendship, hugs, and great food as we celebrated my dear friend, Valerie Troutt’s birthday at Barney’s Gourmet Hamburgers in Oakland. I think we may have to reconvene for my birthday!!!

These photos could be future album covers…just sayin’!

Rosebuds waiting to burst open at the Morcom Rose Garden in Oakland. The rose garden was originally known as the Morcom Amphitheater of Roses. It was constructed in 1932 and is named for former Oakland mayor, Fred N. Morcom. Please visit my Marcom Rose Garden set on Flickr.

A photographer friend recently told me “the music will tell you when to shoot” and that is very true. We wait patiently for “the moment” to happen. It is never a planned thing.

I was fortunate to capture singer Freda Payne in a special moment of her song at The Rrazz Room’s 4th Annual Rrazziversary. I cannot even remember what she was singing but I will forever remember this moment.

Happy Spring!

I attended the Tulip Exhibition at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland which happens annually in March. There was a wonderful array of tulips in Tower Chapel and around the grounds. The tulips flowing from the lamp was one of my favorite arrangements. You can see more tulips here.

I went to hear Robert Glasper Experiment at The New Parish in Oakland earlier this evening. Superbly excellent concert and if you missed them, you can see them at Brick and Mortar in San Francisco today but they may be sold out as I am writing this entry. His stellar band included Casey Benjamin on vocals and mastering a whole slew of instruments, Derrick Hodge on electric bass, Mark Collenburg tearing up the drums and special guest, Bilal on vocals. Glasper takes his strong roots in jazz and throws them in the blender with hip-hop and other influences. The result is a damn tasty mix of music. Glasper and the band featured new music from his recent release, Black Radio, which is blowing up the airwaves. It made me smile when I ordered this album on Amazon and it was backordered. Glasper will be on The Jay Leno Show on Monday night. I will have to stay up to watch.

Expect the unexpected. The first thing Glasper did when he took the stage was have them turn down the lights. I was actually hoping to get a few photos but the lights were low. iPhone’s were getting better light than me. I took the photo above with my best low light lens and was pleasantly surprised with the outcome when I got home.

Thank you, Robert Glasper Experiment, for a wonderful evening of music I and really hope you come back this way again soon.

“MoonCandy is a live soulful house ensemble that features the inspirational voices & composition of some of the East Bay’s most understated jazz,soul,blues and gospel singers. MoonCandy is church without the politics… soulful, uplifting and fabulous!” – Valerie Troutt

Have you heard MoonCandy? They are a tasty treat for your ears!

I saw this classic cruising down Van Ness in San Francisco. I was positioned perfectly in the next lane to get this shot.

Sometimes I sing.
I let my voice be heard.
I sing my song.

I had the pleasure of having this photo taken of me last year when my friend, Valerie Troutt, was doing a recording session at Studio 1510 in West Oakland. Big thanks to David Ewell for hamming it up on the bass.

A Special Jazz Salute to Black History Month – February 1 thru March 4, 2012 – Jazz Heritage Center Lush Life Gallery – 1320 Fillmore Street – San Francisco. Opening reception and panel discussion on February 2 from 6-9pm. The panel discussion will be from 6-7pm in the Jazz Heritage Center Media Room and moderated by Norman K. Brown. Please come out!!!

I am very excited to be in the company of fellow artists, James Gayles and Jim Dennis for this exhibit.