THE LATEST
February 10, 2013
Change is constant. If you can’t accept that law as fact, then you will always be working against
the natural order of life.
Five years ago I was given the opportunity of a lifetime. At the time I was unemployed and
struggling to find work, while playing any and every gig in Chicago and starting my band (which
was then called the Marqueal Jordan Project). Because of the relentless insistence of drummer
Chris Miskel, Brian Culbertson took a chance to meet me and see me perform while in Chicago
after a show. For a saxophonist, the value of playing in Brian’s band is priceless. Impressed
by what he heard, he hired me two days later to join his touring band without me even having to
audition.
Since 2008, I have performed throughout the world, met and performed with legends like Patti
Austin, Larry Graham, Ray Parker, Jr. and David Sanborn, shared the stage with the likes of
my hero Stevie Wonder (while he was also in the audience bobbing his head as I was onstage
singing “Hollywood Swinging”) and rocked The Conga Room at LA Live while my hero Prince
was in the building. I was featured on Brian’s DVD “Live from the Inside” which was filmed
at the historical Capitol Records Studios in Hollywood…a building I rode past everyday while
being bussed to elementary school when I was growing up. I dreamt of being in that building
one day. Now there are musicians throughout the world who reach out to me on Facebook
regularly to say they’re inspired by my performance on the DVD. I also met amazing musicians
and people who have become great friends. One of them, saxophonist Mike Phillips, pulled me
to the side during the Brian Culbertson Christmas Tour he was featured on and told me, “You’re
next.” I never forgot it.
All good things come to an end, especially in the music business. As of Friday, February 8th, I’m
no longer a member of Brian Culbertson’s touring band. To say that the experience of playing
in his band was a blessing is an understatement. I’ve learned so much and I’m better as a
musician, performer, artist, businessman, bandleader, band member, friend, father and man.
These last five years have also given me the opportunity to introduce myself to a worldwide
audience and has shown me that I can be an artist on the highest level. Next is NOW, but it
could have never happened without Brian taking a chance.
I want to send love and thanks to AirTran, Mike Apodaca, David Britz, Wayne Bruce, Rick Camp,
Jim Culbertson, Larry Dunn, Noel Edwards, Maurice Fitzgerald, Larry & Tina Graham, Micaela
Haley, Gerey Johnson, Lamar Jones, Nathaniel Kearney, Jr., Jorina King, Rob Schaer, Amanda
Maiden, Tony Maiden, Eddie Miller, Chris Miskel, Mike Phillips, Sheldon Reynolds, Larry Shields,
Mike Stever & Peter Witting. Apologies to those who I may have forgotten. I appreciate every
early flight, ridiculous lobby call time, business class seats, tour bus rides, plush hotels (I’m
now a hotel snob lol), marathon sound checks, after show band fellowship and every stage we
blazed, every crowd we rocked and every fan who bought a ticket, screamed, stood in line for
signings and took the time to meet us. And, last but definitely not least…
February 10, 2013
Change is constant. If you can’t accept that law as fact, then you will always be working against
the natural order of life.
Five years ago I was given the opportunity of a lifetime. At the time I was unemployed and
struggling to find work, while playing any and every gig in Chicago and starting my band (which
was then called the Marqueal Jordan Project). Because of the relentless insistence of drummer
Chris Miskel, Brian Culbertson took a chance to meet me and see me perform while in Chicago
after a show. For a saxophonist, the value of playing in Brian’s band is priceless. Impressed
by what he heard, he hired me two days later to join his touring band without me even having to
audition.
Since 2008, I have performed throughout the world, met and performed with legends like Patti
Austin, Larry Graham, Ray Parker, Jr. and David Sanborn, shared the stage with the likes of
my hero Stevie Wonder (while he was also in the audience bobbing his head as I was onstage
singing “Hollywood Swinging”) and rocked The Conga Room at LA Live while my hero Prince
was in the building. I was featured on Brian’s DVD “Live from the Inside” which was filmed
at the historical Capitol Records Studios in Hollywood…a building I rode past everyday while
being bussed to elementary school when I was growing up. I dreamt of being in that building
one day. Now there are musicians throughout the world who reach out to me on Facebook
regularly to say they’re inspired by my performance on the DVD. I also met amazing musicians
and people who have become great friends. One of them, saxophonist Mike Phillips, pulled me
to the side during the Brian Culbertson Christmas Tour he was featured on and told me, “You’re
next.” I never forgot it.
All good things come to an end, especially in the music business. As of Friday, February 8th, I’m
no longer a member of Brian Culbertson’s touring band. To say that the experience of playing
in his band was a blessing is an understatement. I’ve learned so much and I’m better as a
musician, performer, artist, businessman, bandleader, band member, friend, father and man.
These last five years have also given me the opportunity to introduce myself to a worldwide
audience and has shown me that I can be an artist on the highest level. Next is NOW, but it
could have never happened without Brian taking a chance.
I want to send love and thanks to AirTran, Mike Apodaca, David Britz, Wayne Bruce, Rick Camp,
Jim Culbertson, Larry Dunn, Noel Edwards, Maurice Fitzgerald, Larry & Tina Graham, Micaela
Haley, Gerey Johnson, Lamar Jones, Nathaniel Kearney, Jr., Jorina King, Rob Schaer, Amanda
Maiden, Tony Maiden, Eddie Miller, Chris Miskel, Mike Phillips, Sheldon Reynolds, Larry Shields,
Mike Stever & Peter Witting. Apologies to those who I may have forgotten. I appreciate every
early flight, ridiculous lobby call time, business class seats, tour bus rides, plush hotels (I’m
now a hotel snob lol), marathon sound checks, after show band fellowship and every stage we
blazed, every crowd we rocked and every fan who bought a ticket, screamed, stood in line for
signings and took the time to meet us. And, last but definitely not least…
