Reflecting and Grateful

As some of you know, in February of 2017, I began my forth year of learning to play an instrument and learning to read music. But did you know, June is also an anniversary date for me and Hayden (my saxophone); I almost forgot. With the "possibility" of so many things happening (musically) over the next few weeks, I almost forgot, that the first Tuesday of June 2016, I got a great opportunity handed to me. My beautiful and supportive wife Helen G. Sneed, called up our friend Keith Dineno and said, "You need to hire my husband to play at your restaurant." Without ever hearing me play, he said; "okay." At my first performance, I met Hartford CT. Jazz legend, Don DePalma, Alvin Benjamin Carter Jr (drums), Morris Trent (bass), Rosemarie Lynn Foote Roy (trombone), Dawn Zukowski (trumpet), Peter Greenfogel (tenor sax), Alexis Roy (vocal, keyboards), who all welcomed me into their musical family. Over the past year, they have mentored me and as with any good family member, they were/are not afraid to tell me when I stunk up the place or praised me when it went well. Without God's blessings, the support of my wife, family, my teachers Kara Cook (Middlesex Music Academy) and the help of my wonderful new musical family, I WOULD NOT be where I am today ... and we still have LONG way to go, but the journey is always better when there's supportive, loving people to light the path.