08.07.10 | My Solo Album coming soon!!
I'm excited to announce that I will be going into the studio to record my first solo album (after six years of delays) under the Turnaround Records label due for an official release during the Spring of 2011!!

I have always believed in "ordered steps" and in the idea that everything happens when it is supposed to happen. Though I have recorded significantly with so many other artists and musical genres, I feel that my recording project was delayed so that I could broaden my musical experiences. While teaching at Morehouse College, I believe I learned more from my students than I could ever teach them. Combining those lessons with the abundance of real-world, performance experiences, I feel as though my voice has literally transformed to express something which is musically, more meaningful than it would ever have been. Those experiences have afforded me the opportunity to perform with and to befriend so many fantastic artists, and I am humbled by the fact that some of those artists have agreed to record with me and help bring my musical ideas to life. I am expecting great things to come from this session, and I hope that you will all be able to come on this journey with me.

More details to follow soon!

05.21.10 | Back home for the Summer!!
The first leg of the tour with Tyler Perry was amazing and i got the opportunity to work with some amazing people!! The production sold out nearly every single show in major arenas across the country. The second leg of the tour is slated to resume during the fall, and it is expected to be just as exciting as the first. For now, I will enjoy the summer months mostly at home. However, the summer is not a complete break, as I am scheduled to perform in the Atlanta Jazz Festival with two acts, at the Friday Jazz Series at the High Museum with both my band and the Mace Hibbard Quintet, across the country with the "Simply Irresistible" Band, overseas with Johnny Gill, and to spend some time here and there instructing and giving masterclasses. Though I've stated many times before my unwavering belief in ordered steps, my life over the last few months has served more as an example of that belief than any words can express. More good times are on the way!!

12.17.09 | On Tour with Tyler Perry
I have just begun rehearsals with the Ronnie Garrett Orchestra for Tyler Perry's latest tour, "Madea's Big Happy Family!!" The play will mark the first time in 5 years that the Producer, Filmaker, Actor, Philanthropist will personally be on tour as Madea, so he's making this one a really big deal!! This is truly exciting, as I have never been on a tour this extensive before. Even better, I will have the opportunity to return to my hometown (it's been a loooooong time!) while on tour, as well as hit a couple cities where my family members reside. The production is slated to run from January 4 through May 2010. Hope to see you there. For more details on the tour and the cities in the run, either click on the link or log on to www.tylerperry.com. Good Times on the way!!

12.04.09 | Updates on My Life in 2010
So I haven't provided updates in a really long time, but my career and life have been extremely interesting and event-filled over the past year alone. So here are my most up to date tidbits.

I made my first major motion picture appearance in Tyler Perry's hit, "I Can Do Bad All By Myself." This was a great opportunity as we were able to perform both on and off screen. There are not many musicians who can make that particular claim! Also, I got the opportunity to get an inside look at the dealings of a major film production. This was an enlightening experience. However, I have to say the Tyler centered this particular film around the musical aspect, so we were treated like royalty on the set. Fantastic!

The movie was a result of my newly developed friendship and business association with Grammy Award Winning Producer, Singer, Songwriter, Bass PLayer, and just overall beautiful person Ronnie Garrett. He is a somewhat unsung hero in the industry, but the people that know what they "should know" are well aware of Ronnie's presence on the scene. Though he's performed for everyone from Miles Davis to Toni Braxton, he has maintained a level of humility unmatched by other artists in his calibre. Needless to say, whenever this brother calls i make it point to be available. One of the results of working with Ronnie (as sort of a face of Ronnie's projects) is the sensational "Simply Irresistable Band."

This band hit the corporate and party scene with a level of talent and skill that the rest of the industry was not ready for. Now the group has raised the bar for other bands in that circuit, with the one of the most impressive rosters of talent in the country. You can get an idea of what I'm talking about by logging on to www.simplyirresistibleband.net. You'll see exactly what I mean!

As well, my educational career has been going very well. The band program a Morehouse College has grown significantly over the past few years. This past marching band season saw an extreme combination of tragedy and triumph with the band emerging as one of the most notable forces in the HBCU Band world! I'm so proud to have been a part of it. Now, my career is taking a new direction as I step away from Morehouse College to focus on my performance career.

I have always been torn between the two worlds of performance and teaching. They are both such rewarding careers, and the balance between the two careers was practically impossible to find. However, I felt that I could no longer ignore the performance path and the doors which have been opened for me. I'm a firm believer in "Ordered Steps" and I feel that all I can do in the end is follow GOD's plan for me. Just as unexpected as my employment with Morehouse began, it had to end. (temporarily??..who's to say right now?) Maybe one day I will be "ordered" to return to the House. until that day comes around, I will do all that I can to make sure that i honor all those that made my success possible.