it's a but early to talk about 2009 since there's so much to do yet but the wind howls + I feel the strong pull of 2010 already. gonna be a huge year. BLACKMAGIC drops January 15th in Japan, January 24th worldwide. January's always been a great month for me despite the cold - in fact it's my birth month + so my power month -

The Dreamer was released in January (Jan 28th 2008 to be exact!)

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great touring band for BLACKMAGIC

those of you in Istanbul, Skopje, or Zurich got a taste of what is to come, a stripped down version...

the sound is more electric, more beats, but all jazz players - Richard Spaven on drums (!), Neil Charles, bass (yes!) + Grant Windsor on keys, rhodes + piano.

we will be joined by another vocalist, Jordana de Lovely from Brooklyn in February in Japan + Andreya Triana on the European dates. both amazingly gifted vocalists + it's an absolute pleasure to be able to work with singers on their level performing my music!

what a blessing...

check for more EU dates in the coming weeks for March + beyond

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another project taking shape is the duo standards project I've begun with pianist Jef Neve - we have our first concert this November 13th @ the famous Olympia Theater in Paris supporting Melody Gardot - then we have a concert the next day in Genk @ the Motives Festival -

Jef is such a deep player - the music is very soulful + classic + brings out my deep jazz explorations...

November 15th is Royal Festival Hall, as part of the London Jazz Festival, again opening for Melody Gardot. you might remember we played the same hall last year, opening for Matthew Herbert Big Band - it will be good to revisit that hall, we have unfinished business!

musically speaking -

my homeboy Mike Campagna is flying in from Genova for that concert, to play tenor, soprano + flute. he's a monster, just amazing. will be a great concert - new stuff for me, real jazz set. finished my Alice Coltrane piece so debuting that + well you'll just have to hear it - tickets are going really fast for that btw so jump on it if you haven't already -

so much great jazz @ the London Jazz Fest this year! big up!!

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thanks everyone for all your support + encouragement this year + sending some back - keep your heads high + eyes on the prize.

Love + Light -

J