Firstly, thank you to the musicians who brought my ideas to life. James, as a mentor and a friend, you’ve done more for me than you could ever know. Brad Webb, your positive energy and self-confidence make it a joy to be in your presence. Brad Walker, you inspire me every day to be the best that I can be, and you have that amazing ability to elevate everyone in the band. George, you are one of the most beautiful humans I have ever met, and I am thankful to call you my friend. I am humbled and blessed to play music with you all.

Thank you to my family, who have provided me with unyielding support. To Allison for being my best friend and so much more. To my teachers & mentors, including but not limited to, Cynthia Plank, Derek Sims, Alan Jones, Nick Volz, Jeff Albert & Jimbo Walsh, who have made me the person I am today. To Evan Hammond & the Marigny Opera House. To my community of friends and musicians for their inspiration and love. To all who attended this performance, and to those involved in the creation of this album. Finally, and of extreme importance, thank you to the countless black artists who pioneered this music.

This album is a big step for me. Until now, I had been involved in many records as a band member, sideman, collaborator, etc. I felt it was time to create something with my name on it. I find myself writing in various styles simultaneously, regardless of whether I actually have a band to play the stuff. Over the last few years, I had written a modest stack of instrumental music which had no place in my other groups, and thus had not yet been recorded. So I put together a book of those songs, a couple of my “electric” tunes reimagined, and a few covers of songs which are near & dear to me. I thought long and hard about who I wanted in the band, looking particularly at people with whom I didn’t get to play often enough. Then I had to figure out where to record the thing. I asked myself, what room in New Orleans has the most beautiful acoustics? The Marigny Opera House of course. And I had one of two drummers in town who could play to that room. Then finally, the decision to do it live. The Opera House is a venue, so it made perfect sense. Cats play differently live versus in the studio. They take chances. They don’t just play, they perform. That’s what I wanted for this record: fantastic musicians communicating these songs to an audience in a beautiful room. And that’s what we did. Live At The Marigny Opera House.