I was so happy to get the call from the great Dr. Ira Wiggins to play a rare (for me) morning gig! We played for a breakfast celebration of the N.C. Commerce Department as they celebrated being the No.1 state to do business in the country by CNBC!

Ira sounded great on Tenor Saxophone and Flute! Joining the band is Chuckey Robinson on keyboards and Damon Brown on electric bass. The tune is “There is no Greater Love”.

Thank you Colleen Brown for capturing moments of our performance! You’re the best!

It was very exciting to play with Columbus born pianist Aaron Diehl! Joining us was Steve Haines on Bass and Chad Eby on Saxophone. We performed several of Aarons original music during the Music for a Great Space seiries held in Greensboro, NC and Lynchburg, VA. Here is a snippet of the concert played in Lynchburg, VA. It was a blast to finally play with him. Let me know what you think of the performance.

I am so happy to have another GLOBAL collaboration! So many great people came together to make this happen. There is musical representation from Brazil, France, Italy, Japan, and the USA. I hope we can do more collaborations like this but in person!

Thank you to Lenora Helm Hammonds Vocalist (USA), Baron Tymas Guitar & Vocals (USA), Laure Tission-Ramon Viola & Vocals (France), Giovanni Candia Guitar & Vocals (Italy), Yuko Nogami Taylor Vocals (Japan & USA), Jow Novo Rhythm Guitar (Brazil), Aaron Gross Bass (USA), and Thomas Taylor Drums & Vocals (USA).

This video was made in part by the Artist Support Grant from the United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County.

Here is 4x3 by Ivan Lind! It’s been a long time since we played together. This pandemic has been a challenge for everyone! It was strange but good to actually have people play and even have a small audience of my close neighbors. We played for a couple of hours and here are a few tunes from the day. This is just US playing with no rehearsal and we called tunes. I hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed playing. This video was made in part by the Artist Support Grant from the United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County.

Here is Butterfly by Herbie Hancock! It’s been a long time since we played together. This pandemic has been a challenge for everyone! It was strange but good to actually have people play and even have a small audience of my close neighbors. We played for a couple of hours and here are a few tunes from the day. This is just US playing with no rehearsal and we called tunes. I hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed playing. This video was made in part by the Artist Support Grant from the United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County.

Here is Deluge by Wayne Shorter! It’s been a long time since we played together. This pandemic has been a challenge for everyone! It was strange but good to actually have people play and even have a small audience of my close neighbors. We played for a couple of hours and here are a few tunes from the day. This is just US playing with no rehearsal and we called tunes. I hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed playing.This video was made in part by the Artist Support Grant from the United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County.

My sisters and nieces decided to sing one of our mother’s favorite tunes. Her birthday is at the end of February and I wanted to celebrate her in this manner. This was the first time we have attempted to sing “Virtually Together”! We had fun although it was challenging for ALL of us! This will NOT be our only attempt at singing from a distance. You should be on the lookout to hear the next song. This video was made in part by the Artist Support Grant from the United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County.

I met Ousmane Ouattara in 2017 while teaching at a Global Music, Dance, and Theater camp called GLOMUS in Natal Brazil. There were so many amazing artist participating in the camp. Ousmane’s Kora playing and Singing was Hypnotic and magnetic! I wondered if there was any way I could play & hang with these amazing musicians from Mali. Their music was bursting with “truth, sincerity, and The Foundation” to what I want to hear in music. I’m thankful he allowed me to collaborate virtually on this beautiful Chanson.

This video was made in part by the Artist Support Grant from the United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County.

Happy 2021! I decided to experiment with a little video editing while playing on the first day of the new year. Take a listen and let’s swing for all of 2021. If you’re interested in virtual lessons, send me an email. We can talk about your goals and areas of improvement.

I decided to create a “Swing Shed” for 2020! During the times of COVID 19, it’s important to continue to play “together”. The 8th Annual “Give the Drummer Some” event was virtual. I think this was a fitting way to come together. Thanks to Donovan Cheatham on drums, Curtis McPhatter on drums, Brandon Rich on vibes, Chuckey Robinson on keyboards, Andy Powell on bass, and Thomas Taylor on Drums. Video editing by Brandon Rich.

A “distant but local” collaboration with North Carolina Central University Jazz Faculty, Baron Tymas on Guitar, Jim Crew on piano, and Durham native and UNC Chapel Hill Music alum Pete Kimosh on Bass. This is one of Jim’s original tunes. These types of collaborations helped me stay sane during the pandemic. Although we didn’t play together at the same time, it sure feels like it when I watch it now. Recording this song also felt like I was playing with others.

The Global pandemic couldn’t stop us from finding a way to play. Celebrating UNCG’s Homecoming 2020, the Jazz Faculty Trio (Ariel Pocock-Piano, Steve Haines-Bass, Thomas Taylor-Drums) played a short “remote” set for the Alumni. Tune in and be sure you have your “Adult beverage” while you watch.

This performance was given by guest artist Ralph Bowen at UNC Greensboro in 2008.  The Miles Davis Jazz Studies program at UNCG offers performance opportunities with students, faculty, and guest artists who visit the campus.

Joey Calderazzo- piano
Gray Hackelman- bass
Thomas Taylor- drums
Ralph Bowen- tenor sax
Chad Eby- tenor sax