Roughly 3 years ago, Sharon Sable and I began talking about the idea of a Blossom Dearie tribute project.  Now we are in the final weeks of the countdown to our official album release date of 4/11/23. It's been a long and deliberate road; limited on straight lines, boundless in openness and surrender to where this would take us. No one can accuse us of rushing this through. Neither should anyone accuse us of wasting any of our time. The process was exactly what it needed to be, to get us to this point. Who we each are is reflected in this project, or better, embedded in it. What is also embedded in this project is the rapport and connection Sharon and I have recognized and developed over the course of it.  

Some time ago, I came across a refrigerator magnet that was so perfect, I had to buy 2 of them; one for Sharon and one for me - "Hang on while I overthink this",  Sharon and I are each capable of self-doubt. But underneath (and perhaps even foundational, in some way, to) the surface tendency to overthink, is a knowing that we (each) hold something inside of us, a specific (even unique) divine gift. A sense of purpose, shining an inner light that, ultimately, never goes out, needing be put to use. Sharon, like me, has been a performing musician from teenage years. Our stories are dissimilar, until they become much the same. I met Sharon just a few months before beginning this project. But in this limited time, from then until now, I've seen in her the essence of my own life's journey; one that brought me to see my connection to music as far more than an ability or an opportunity. In my early 20's, I consciously accepted making music as my calling. And though I didn't fully comprehend it then; a calling for the benefit of others. Sharon has undergone the process of this too, in her own way. And the place, or lane, in which we collaborate, is where these abilities and realizations are shared.  One of the great blessings of making music are the friendships it forges and nurtures. On this, and on many levels, we are blessed indeed.