-A Brief Background- My debut album, “Songs For A Generation,” is the culmination of a nearly 2-year long project, seeking to understand music and the world around me as a fluid medium of artistic expression. As this project began to take shape in the form of original compositions, I began to notice the beautiful parallels between conceptions of music and the human experience of life. The most central of these ideas can be summarized twofold: 1) the concept of genre in music in relation to other constructed barriers we both build and also live within 2) the concept of living in and fully experiencing each moment in relation to improvisation both in musical expression and also in everyday life “Generation” is an interesting word with mainly two definitions. Webster’s Dictionary gives us the following: 1) all of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively. 2) the production of something. Thus, you can understand the phrase “Songs For A Generation” in multiple ways and in perhaps even a third way as well by synthesizing both definitions. For me, this project was about taking influences I grew up with – from people, places, music, cultures, etc. – and creating something with all of that in order to give that creation back to my “generation.” It all comes full circle. -About the Project- I believe we’re here on this Earth as instruments of peace. That means that for everything good that happens to me I look for a way to give that goodness back in some way. That's why I’m especially excited to be releasing my debut album, “Songs For A Generation.” Over the past year as I’ve been able to travel and experience so much, I’ve found myself continuously inspired and writing music. "Songs for a Generation" is a project of 12 original pieces that I’ve written and arranged all coming from this realization that we as a generation are unequivocally united in our humanity. This is music that blends elements of jazz and creative music with chamber music, world music, and free improvisation. -About the Players- I'm joined by some amazing world class musicians. On saxophones, 3x-Grammy award winner Jeff Coffin, director of jazz studies here at Vanderbilt, Ryan Middagh, & Tennessee-native David Williford. The incredibly versatile Jose Sibaja on trumpet and former Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra trombonist Jeremy Wilson round out the brass section. And as for my partners in crime in the rhythm section, well, I couldn’t be more excited to play with the great Patrick Atwater on bass and the truly amazing Derrek Phillips on drums. I also joined forces with my dear friend and brilliant violinist, Matt Lammers, as well as other string players at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music in Houston, Texas to round out what was a truly unique musical experience that I hope will be enjoyable and memorable to so many people. -On Creating- I think music, in its essence, is the sonic representation of experiences. For me, the greatest challenge in writing music lies in the paradox of removing myself from the process by delving into the truth of the experience. It’s not about me, it’s about the music. I conceptualize music as an infinite sphere expanding in all directions. All of the music that has ever been conceived or will ever be conceived exists within this sphere. The same is true for ideas – music is simply a specific form or representation or extension of an idea or ideas. -A Final Thought- The greatest struggle for me is simply not being true to my authentic self. That is, to say, the greatest struggle for me is to be someone I’m not or do something I don’t believe in. Conversely, the greatest joy for me is being able to be and do what I believe is right and just – someone and something that inspires others. The goal for me, then, is to find that spiritual place that is so perfect in its essence that the energy I give is the energy I receive, such that there is no beginning and no end. I’ve found that place in the infinite sphere that is music, and I hope you will join me. Thank you for listening.