Started Day 2 of GRAMMY Camp Jazz Session.  Practice has been pretty hard core, but it's sounding great. Looks like we will be performing with Aloe Blacc and KING for the GRAMMY in the Schools Live! concert. 

Playing with some fun jazz chords.

Pretty shocked and very excited to learn that I was selected to be in the GRAMMY Camp Jazz Session Choir made up from 8 students across the country. I'll be in LA 2/4 - 2/13 to perform throughout GRAMMY week, including the GRAMMY after-party. I'm probably most excited to play alongside such great jazz talent. I can't wait to meet everyone. 

Press Release

​Students Selected To Participate In 2017 GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session
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December 08, 2016 -- 3:10 pm PST
The GRAMMY Foundation announced today that 32 talented high school students from across the United States have been selected for the 2017 GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session. Their selection launches them into the spotlight surrounding the 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards, and provides them with unparalleled opportunities to perform for some of music's biggest names. The students, representing 30 cities and 14 states, will travel to Los Angeles for a 10-day musical adventure under the direction of Justin DiCioccio of the Manhattan School of Music, Dr. Ron McCurdy of the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music and associate choral director Susanna Wegner of Kansas City, Mo. Two former GRAMMY Camp students will be joining as members of the GRAMMY in the Schools media team to document the GRAMMY Week experience for the GRAMMY Foundation's social media platforms.
View Complete List Of 2017 GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session Participants
"GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session provides an unparalleled experience for some of the most talented young jazz singers and instrumentalists in the U.S. through extraordinary rehearsal, performance and recording opportunities during GRAMMY Week," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation. "The Recording Academy and its affiliated charities are proud to be a place of inspiration and collaboration for this program that encourages many of these gifted high school students to pursue professional careers in the music industry."
On Feb. 8, 10–11, courtesy of Capitol Studios, the young musicians will record an album (GRAMMY Jazz 25) at the legendary facility in Hollywood, Calif. Over the years, noted members of The Recording Academy's Producers & Engineers Wing have worked with the ensembles during the recording process. GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session albums from 2007–2016 are available for purchase via online music outlets such as Amazon, iTunes and Rhapsody.
The selected students will perform at various GRAMMY Week events, including — for the eighth year — an appearance at GRAMMY In The Schools Live! — A Celebration Of Music & Education sponsored by Ford Motor Company Fund. This special event, which is open to the public, will showcase the selectees, along with special guest artists, on Feb. 9, 2017, at The Novo by Microsoft in Los Angeles. The group will offer additional public performances with special guest artists at Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment in Seal Beach, Calif., and Bluewhale in Los Angeles on Feb. 7 and Feb. 8, respectively. GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session members will also attend the 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 12 as guests of The Recording Academy and will perform at the GRAMMY Celebration after-party.
GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session is supported in part by the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, Gia Maione Prima Foundation Inc., and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support is provided by Capitol Studios, Centerstaging, Gibson/Baldwin, Guitar Center, JBL, Roland, Shure, and Zildjian Cymbals.
GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session selectees are eligible for more than $2 million in college scholarships made possible through the GRAMMY Foundation's college partners: Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, and USC Thornton School of Music. In addition, each selectee's school will receive a professional cymbal courtesy of the Zildjian Company.

Here's a picture of Nick, Gabe and I after Clique's performance from the Riff show at Union Performance Arts Center last week. It was a short set, but the crowd was hyped.  Played a few new songs.  Check out my video page to see some video from the night.

Here's a Facebook Live video of Gabe, Nick and I gearing up for Friday's gig.  We'll be opening for Riff Sounds, featured in the movie Lean On Me.  

Friday November 4th @ 8 pm at the Union County Performance Arts Center in Rahway, NJ. 
For tickets go to http://www.ucpac.org/event/c02688ab63e46402796959db1fbc69a3

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Amazing night playing at Caravan Sessions in Greenpoint, Brooklyn with Gabe Valle's band. Thankful for being able to play with such amazing people. 

So this happened to Gabe and me last night. Got to see and meet Allen Stone at City Winery in NYC. Can honestly die happy after that amazing show.  Definitely the best show I've seen.  Allen Stone is as funny and he is talented.  So many great stories to add to his sick music. If you ever get a chance to see him - GO!

After that last busy week of non-stop gigs, I am tryin' to enjoy my last week of summer.  It's been pretty sweet because I finally got my driver's license and fixed up my ride to suit my style. Nobody will mistake by car for anyone else's. It's been endless trips to Panera and Caffe a la mode. Last week's gig money is going quickly.

Also pretty psyched because I learned that I made New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-State conference for both the symphonic band (oboe)and jazz vocal ensembles.  Fun fact: Lady Gaga was in NYSSMA All-State for jazz choir.

 Just got home from GRAMMY Camp and I can't believe it's over.  Such and intense experience with so many great people. I was also lucky enough to get paired with the best roommate ever, drummer extraordinaire,Natalie DePergola. Ugh.  She better come visit soon! Gonna miss everyone so much.

We spent the week guided by our band director, Leslie Drayton, who was a founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire and served as music director/conductor for Marvin Gaye. He was no-nonsense and definitely what we needed to keep us on track. I was also inspired to work with Chris Sampson, Vice Dean of Division of Contemporary Music and Founding Director of Popular Music Program at USC Thornton School of Music.  His songwriting genius and experience was instrumental in developing songs that met each objective. 

Last night's GRAMMY Camp NY Launch Party was even better than I was expecting.  We were really well prepared and everyone sounded amazing.  I can't wait to see the video.  I hope it's released soon.