I just picked up a CD of “Pilgrimage,” the late Michael Brecker’s new (and final) recording. WOW! This is some of the most amazing music I have ever heard from anyone, in any genre, of any era. A wonder. A triumph. A masterpiece. This is the kind of album that makes me feel supremely grateful for the existence of jazz music, privileged that I’ve had the opportunity to listen to (and play) it so much over the years, and proud to be a part of its community. I won’t write any more, because words cannot begin to do justice to Michael’s brilliant artistry and towering legacy. But I encourage anyone and everyone who might read this to get “Pilgrimage” right away, and to experience it for themselves. Then again, most of you probably already have.

Last night I sat in with Ben Goldberg’s band for their gig at the Jazz School here in Berkeley. Ben was on clarinet, Sheldon Brown on alto, Devin Hoff on bass and Scott Amendola on drums. We played songs from Ben’s latest CD “The Door, The Hat, The Chair, The Fact” (original compositions inspired by Steve Lacy) along with some of his newer work. Ben’s music is wonderful. It strikes a uniquely engaging balance between tonality and dissonance, freedom and structure, logic and emotion, lyrical beauty and angular provocation. And the band was incredible - some of the most creative and versatile musicians on the scene today, and they all live right here in the Bay Area! Nearly all the improvisation was “free,” in the sense that there was no strictly predetermined harmonic rhythm; or if one initially existed, it was eventually stretched (and often abandoned) for the sake of narrative continuity, thematic exploration and collective conversation. It was a joy (and an ear-opener) for me to work with musicians so fluent and comfortable in this approach. Everything felt natural, relaxed and without agenda; yet at the same time there was a great energy, intensity and spirit of adventure. Above all, everyone really, really LISTENED, which of course is what jazz, improvisation and music are all about. I hope we get a chance to play again soon. (Besides, Ben, I need another shot at “F13″!)

Just finished a long weekend (Thursday thru Sunday) of trio gigs in DC with Larry Grenadier and Ali Jackson. As always, it was a great pleasure to perform at Blues Alley (one of the best, and most intimate, jazz clubs around), and a privilege to make music with Larry and Ali again. This was the first time the three of us had played together since we did the Back East recording session a year ago and also the first time that we’ve had a chance to really stretch out and dig-in over consecutive nights. By the end, things really started to click. I’m bummed that it’s over, although I have to admit that two sets a night, every night, for four straight nights did kind of take its toll on me. As I joked with Larry on Saturday night, “Maybe I’m getting too old for this!” Of course, it doesn’t help that I haven’t been sleeping much. (Anyone out there got some advice for insomnia?) But the music kept me going. The Cats were awesome! Larry is one of the most lyrical, musical and supportive bassists in the world, as well as being a true virtuoso and in my opinion one of the all-time greatest soloists on the instrument: A rare combination indeed! And Ali plays the drums with such joyful, soulful creativity employing a keen intelligence and razor-sharp wit in service of a deep groove and a crisp, crystal-clear swing.

Thanks, guys, for the incredible music and for helping whip my chops back into shape! Now I’m looking forward to a couple weeks back home for a chance to recharge before the big tour with Reuben and Eric (and then Reuben and Antonio) begins in June…

I sure am a lucky guy! . . . for so many reasons . . . not the least of which is that over the past sixteen years I have had the chance to play with some of the most amazing artists in jazz. To the extent that I’ve accomplished anything myself as a musician, it’s been because of these opportunities.

I’ve (started to) learn how to play by consistently, eagerly (and at times perhaps even a bit naively) placing myself in situations where I’ve been in way over my head - getting my butt kicked by musicians of infinitely greater skill, experience, knowledge and talent. I never went to music school, but the bandstand has been my classroom.

And three of my greatest teachers have been Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride and Brian Blade. We all played together from 1993 through 1994, touring pretty much non-stop and recording one album, Moodswing, along the way. Nominally, I was the “leader” of the band. How absurd! Because it was of course I who was being led (propped-up, schooled, instructed, inspired, humbled, spoiled. . . you name it ) by these three musical geniuses (and I do not use that term lightly).

Being a “bandleader” was the best (and easiest!) job in the world. Of course, I knew this band wouldn’t last forever. But since New Years of 1995 (our last gig), I always looked forward to the day when the four of us would have a chance to play together again. Well, that day (or rather, night) just came. Exactly a week ago (May 4, 2007), Brad, Christian, Brian and I played two concerts at Herbst Theatre in San Francisco.

It was part of this year’s SFJAZZ Spring Season focus on the music of Thelonious Monk. The theme of these two concerts was the historic collaboration between Monk and John Coltrane. We played the tunes from their legendary Carnegie Hall performance of November 29, 1957 (almost 50 years ago): Crepescule With Nellie, Nutty, Evidence, Monk’s Mood, Epistrophy, Sweet and Lovely, Bye-Ya and Blue Monk. What fun! How inspring! (And again, for me, what an education!) On the surface, it might have seemed a little strange that we were coming back together to play this repertoire – as opposed to the music that we had performed and recorded fourteen years ago. But, in fact, it felt very natural, and appropriate. Monk and Trane have obviously been huge inspirations for us all, and it was a thrill to explore and celebrate their influence by approaching their music in our own way, through our own individual perspectives, and with our own collective sound. Obviously, we weren’t trying to “recreate” the Carnegie Hall concert. That would have been a doomed enterprise from the start.

But with Brad, Christian and Brian, imitation is never a danger, or even an issue. They have such uniquely powerful and mature artistic visions that they immediately take ownership of the material, crafting their own brilliant interpretations, while at the same time honoring the originals – not by the note, or by the style, but rather in the spirit. Oddly enough, for me, the most challenging moment came at the end of the second show, where for the encore we decided to try “Rejoice”, a tune of mine that we used to play quite a bit back in the day. It was also the only time during the whole night when I felt just ever-slow-slightly hampered by nostalgia.

Don’t get me wrong, it was a blast to play that tune again. But I guess I had so many strong memories of how we used to play it, that at times I felt like I was unconsciously trying to to conjure up a vibe from the past, as opposed to just being fully aware and conscious of the moment, creating and discovering the sound of the present. Next time (and I can’t wait for that next time!) I’ll know better: Even if we’re playing one of our “old tunes”, I should never expect us to get back to something old. On the contrary, the joy is in the possibility, and the process, of moving towards something new.

Walking off the bandstand at the end of the night, Christian commented, “Well, we sure don’t sound like we used to.” He’s right. We don’t. And we shouldn’t. A lot happens in fourteen years. And a lot changes. And we sounded different, as Brad so aptly put it, “in just about all the right ways.” But some things also remain the same. In our case, I think the connection, the camaraderie, the respect and the empathy are still there in force, perhaps stronger than ever. And for my part, I remain just as awed, inspired and humbled as ever by these three master musicians. Brad, Christian and Brian: Thanks again for yet another lesson. I look forward to many more, in the (hopefully not-too-distant) future!