LOST IN SPACE: Today, October 17th! I’m playing with young lion Kevin King at the Chicago Public Library for “Lost in Space,” the library’s FREE astronomy-inspired concert series. Learn more via my Link in Bio. 📸: ?

WINTER’S JAZZ CLUB: If you enjoy hearing me with the Ben Paterson Organ Trio, you’re in luck. Next week, on October 24th, you can find the three of us (me, Ben, and Greg Artry) on stage at Winter’s Jazz Club here in Chicago. Tickets are up via my Link in Bio 📸: Mark Sheldon

LOST IN SPACE: Tomorrow, October 17th, find me with Kevin King at the Chicago Public Library for the second installment of “Lost in Space,” their free astronomy-inspired concert series. Come enjoy some free fun. Learn more via my Link in Bio. 📸: Jim Funk

Guitarists, get ready! On October 22nd, I’ll be joining forces w/ Chase Maddox (of Chase’s Guitar Academy) for a live Zoom masterclass on the blues. The class is for members of Chase’s online academy, so check out his website via my Link in Bio. 📸: Doug Graham Photography and ?

Here’s a then-and-now #flashback I wanted to share, all about my current guitar: the Koentopp Chicagoan. It was made for me by a top notch luthier I know, Danny Koentopp. These pics are from the day I got it in 2015 and a chat we had about it just the other day. Thanks, Danny!

ED CHERRY: Today we celebrate the birthday of fellow jazz guitarist Ed Cherry. I’m always happy to see him out there doing his thing, and getting the recognition he deserves as a leader in the jazz guitar world. Happy Birthday, Ed! Photo via Ed’s website.

ART BLAKEY: Today I’m remembering the legendary Art Blakey, a true giant of jazz and one of the most influential bandleaders of all time. These photos are from when I had the opportunity to play with him early in my career. Thank you, Mr. Blakey, and Happy Birthday.

LOST IN SPACE: On October 17th, you can find me with Kevin King at the Chicago Public Library for the second installment in their astronomy-inspired concert series, “Lost in Space.” Come enjoy some free fun. Learn more via my Link in Bio. 📸: Eugene Moerman

GEORGE FLUDAS: Today I’m wishing a very happy birthday to a fantastic drummer and a longtime friend of mine, George Fludas. Look at this old pic of us from the '90s! (Dennis Carroll on bass.) Have a great birthday, George. Keep on keepin’ on! 🎉🎂

KENNY GARRETT: Today I’m wishing a happy birthday to a great musician and one of my favorites, Kenny Garrett. We've played together many times over the years. This photo is from 2013, when we happened to bump into each other at an airport in Prague. Wishing you a great birthday, Kenny!

LE PIANO CHICAGO! Tonight, join me, Ben Paterson, and Greg Artry as the Ben Paterson Organ Trio for one of my favorite regular gigs: Thursday Organ Night at Le Piano Chicago. Grab tickets via my Link in Bio. 📸: This pic was taken at Le Piano by Philip Tawanchaya

A fresh new music video is out now: “No Hype Blues” as played and recorded live at the Jazz Showcase by my friend Ron Blake Music on saxophone, me on guitar, Kobie Watkins on drums, and Dennis Carroll on bass. Check out the whole thing on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdz2...

MARK WHITFIELD: Today's the birthday of fellow jazz guitarist Mark Whitfield. Mark came out to hear my and Russell’s duet performance at Mezzrow a few years ago and made it a trio for the last tune. HBD, Mark! 📸: Here we are at that Mezzrow performance, alongside Faton Macula

CLIFTON ANDERSON: Today I'm wishing a happy birthday to trombonist Clifton Anderson. We spent a lot of time on the road together in Sonny’s band, where I developed a fondness for this gentleman. Wishing him the best in his musical endeavors and the rest of life. HBD, Tones! 📸: John Abbott

WALTER BISHOP JR.: Today, join me in celebrating the birthday of Walter Bishop Jr. Walter was gracious and kind, and very supportive of what I was trying to do as a young musician. I remember him very fondly. Happy Birthday, Walter Bishop Jr.! 📸: From the cover of his album Coral Keys.

THE GREEN MILL: Today, October 3rd, I’ll be at the classic Green Mill with vocalist Hinda Hoffman and her band. It’s a great band, too: Ron Perrillo on piano, Dennis Carroll on bass, and Ben Esposito on drums. Come on out and join the fun… Grab tickets via my Link in Bio. 📸 : Evan Blake

VON FREEMAN: Today we celebrate the birthday of Von Freeman, a great saxophonist and a pillar of the Chicago jazz scene back in the day. Now that I’m a mentor on the scene here, I try to carry on his work. Happy Birthday, Vonski. 📸: If you know who took this pic, LMK

GUITAR ACADEMY: Guitarists, mark your calendars for October 22nd, 2026, when I’ll be on Zoom with Chase Maddox of Chase’s Guitar Academy for a masterclass on playing the blues. I’ll see you then… Stay tuned for details via my Link in Bio.

THE GREEN MILL and CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION: Tomorrow, October 3rd, I’ve got two gigs on the schedule: the “Lost in Space” Concert Series with Kevin King in the morning, and The Green Mill with vocalist Hinda Hoffman in the evening. Grab tickets and learn more via my Link in Bio.

PATRICE RUSHEN: Today’s the birthday of Patrice Rushen, pianist, singer, songwriter, and producer. I first played with Patrice during the Jazz Explosion tour in the early ‘80s. I had the pleasure of seeing and hearing Patrice again in 2018 at the Umbria Jazz Festival. HBD Patrice Rushen!

DAVE KIKOSKI: Today I’m celebrating the birthday of jazz pianist Dave Kikoski. I first met Dave back in the mid-’70s at Jazz Camp in Mahwah, New Jersey. We finally reconnected a few years ago in Málaga, Spain, where we worked together on a workshop and concert. HBD, Dave! 📸: via Dave’s website.

TRIBUTE TO SONNY: Recently, I had the honor of playing at the Jazz Foundation’s Celebration of Life for Sonny Rollins. It meant so much to me to be part of the celebration of a friend, musician, and mentor who made such a strong impact on my life. Rest easy, Sonny. 📸: Tom Haggerty/THS Multimedia

THE GREEN MILL: One week from now, on October 3rd, I’ll be at the Green Mill here in Chicago with vocalist Hinda Hoffman. Joining us: Dennis Carroll on bass, and Ron Perrillo on piano. I hope to see you there. Grab tickets via my Link in Bio. 📸: Antonis Arfanis

GARY BARTZ: Today I’m celebrating the birthday of a great saxophonist, Gary Bartz. I first got to know Gary after moving to Chicago in the late ’80s, when we were both involved in a jazz education exchange program. We made some great memories. Happy birthday, Gary Bartz!

BILL PIERCE: Today let’s celebrate the birthday of saxophonist & educator Bill Pierce. I stumbled across this old selfie of Bill and me with Joe Lovano, from a visit to Boston in 2020. Happy birthday, Bill. Keep on keepin’ on!

WINTER’S JAZZ CLUB: Next month, on October 24th, you can find me at one of our Chicago jazz venues, Winter’s Jazz Club, with the Ben Paterson Organ Trio. I always enjoy playing with this group. You can find tickets for our gig at Winter’s via my Link in Bio. Hope to see you there. 📸: Mark Sheldon

EARMA THOMPSON: Today would’ve been the birthday of a stellar Chicago pianist, Earma Thompson. She was a masterful player, and one of the elders on the jazz scene in Chicago when I moved there in the mid 1980s. I made some wonderful memories in her band. Happy Birthday, Earma.

ERIC GALE: Today would’ve been the birthday of notable guitarist Eric Gale. His sound was so soulful and bluesy, and he somehow made it fit into every style. I had the chance to meet him once at a rehearsal studio. He was a really nice guy. Happy Birthday, Eric Gale. 📸: ?

CHICO HAMILTON: Today is the birthday of great jazz drummer Chico Hamilton. He had quite a unique musical vision, and his music is very interesting to listen to. He’s one of our greats in the jazz world for sure. Happy Birthday, Chico Hamilton. 📸: ?

SONNY ROLLINS MEMORIAL: Saturday, September 19th, at 1:00 PM, anyone who can make it is invited to attend the Jazz Foundation’s celebration of Sonny Rollins at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in NYC. The event is free and open to the public. More info via my Link in Bio.