Tag Archives: Jazz Ambassadors

I’m Certain of Nothing…

Posted on March 26, 2015 by lieslwhitaker

One of the perks of my jobs is being able to travel around the country, often coming into contact with my extended family along the way. This happened this past week in Mason City, Iowa. My Mother, Barbara, was the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Army Blues, Jazz Ambassadors, Manchester Craftsman's Guild, The Jazz Ambassadors | 8 Comments

Loss, Love and Learning…

Posted on March 11, 2015 by lieslwhitaker

I have taken a hiatus from writing over the past 6 months, mainly because I have been absorbed in the observation of life. As a person, I am always amazed at the things that I can observe if my eyes … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged aging, Blood Sweat and Tears, Clark Terry, forgiveness, growing old, jazz, Jazz Ambassadors, Keep on Keepin On, Lew Soloff, loss, Stanley Kay, The Jazz Ambassadors, trumpet | 3 Comments

I Finally Get To Say “Thank You”!

Posted on July 15, 2013 by lieslwhitaker

My first instrumental music teacher, Dr. Jim Ryon and I meeting for the first time in more than 35 years! Read “After All These Years” for the details of this reunion.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Jazz Ambassadors, Jim Ryon | 2 Comments

The Jazz Ambassadors Live Webcast Tonight!

Posted on April 30, 2013 by lieslwhitaker

The Jazz Ambassadors will be performing at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage this evening at 6pm ET. Please join us! If you can’t make it to the live performance, please join us through the live webcast: http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/ See you at … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Jazz Ambassadors, Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage | Leave a comment

A Tough Week for All…

Posted on April 23, 2013 by lieslwhitaker

It’s truly amazing how caught we can be in the webs we weave. Life throws us curve ball after curve ball. We swing at some. We stand frozen and watch some whip by us. Sometimes we hit the ball out … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Blues Alley, Jazz Ambassadors, Micheal Feinstein | 2 Comments

The Unique Beat of a Different Drummer

Posted on April 9, 2013 by lieslwhitaker

This morning, I’m sitting with my dogs, my eyes burning from a lack of sleep combined with the pollen squeezing through my window screens. Outside, the garbage trucks disrupt the peace of the morning’s birdsong. Brakes and beeps signal giant, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Army Blues, Ed Soph, Emil Richards, Jazz Ambassadors, John LaBarbera, John Riley, Keith Carlock, PASIC, Peter Erskine, Simon Phillips, Steve Fidyk | Leave a comment

Looking Ahead

Posted on January 25, 2013 by lieslwhitaker

Now that the Inaugural has come and gone, it’s time to get back to work preparing for our upcoming Spring tour with the Jazz Ambassadors. The time spent as participants in the Inauguration was truly memorable, and I’m incredibly blessed … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Jazz Ambassadors | Leave a comment

Writing…Finally!

Posted on January 12, 2013 by lieslwhitaker

I began writing while on the previous Fall tour with the Jazz Ambassadors as a way of organizing my thoughts as they flourished wildly through my mind. It quickly became a way of coping with the road while simultaneously creating … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Jazz Ambassadors, US Army Field Band | Leave a comment