This “now page” offers a big picture glimpse into my what I’m focused on at this point in my life.
January 2025:
Family Updates
Our Connecticut home is bustling with life. We’ve recently welcomed Remy, a spirited chocolate lab pup, adding both fun and chaos. Daisy, our older lab, patiently tolerates her. Jana, my life partner, is immersed in her online M.A. in Peace & Justice degree program from St. Stephens University, enriching our evening conversations with topics like alternatives to penal substitutionary atonement theory. Logan graduated high school and now works as a machinist in Ellington, CT. He still lives with us and has a lovely girlfriend, Grace. Stella is a junior at a magnet high school within Three Rivers Community College and is considering a future in nursing.
Redefining My Path in Music and Faith
Lately, I’ve been in a transitional, reflective space, both creatively and personally. I’m challenging my artistic boundaries and experimenting with calling myself a composer rather than a jazz musician. I don’t want to unconsciously fall into default jazz mode—playing and writing in predictable ways. While I still love playing jazz at a high level with great musicians, I’ve been more selective about the gigs I pursue and accept. This shift has been liberating, allowing me to explore new musical territories without the limitations of the “J” word.
My spiritual journey has also evolved; I no longer identify as an evangelical Christian. This decision stems from the evangelical stance toward LGBTQ+ individuals, which I find incompatible with the inclusive and compassionate love that faith should embody, as well as their repeated political alignment with the MAGA agenda, which prioritizes power and exclusion over humility and service. More generally, I could no longer endure the cognitive dissonance of suppressing my questions to fit within a framework that demanded conformity and certainty at the expense of intellectual and spiritual honesty. Instead, I now seek a faith rooted in humility, openness, and a commitment to truth—one that values all people, encourages inquiry, and fosters genuine love over rigid dogma or political expedience.
Reimagining Myself as an Artist and Citizen
The third major shift this past year, which also left me grappling with my identity, was becoming a U.S. citizen. For years, being Canadian defined me, even while living in the U.S., and it set me apart in ways I valued. Though I still hold my Canadian citizenship, taking the U.S. oath felt transformative—an act of commitment that left me changed. I wanted to vote and speak up without hypocrisy. When Kamala Harris lost, it felt like a gut punch. I subscribe to the ideals of democracy—that no one is above the law and that checks and balances should work—those principles now feel tenuous and murky. I’m left with sadness, uncertainty, and disillusionment. It’ll be interesting to see how America sorts herself out.
It’s important to me to address issues like human rights, climate change, gun reform, and racial justice through music. Artistically, I’m focused on writing art songs to perform and record with my colleague, Rod Nelman. We’ve received STEAM grant funding for a collaborative project at UConn involving an anthropologist, an entomologist, and a poet. I’m setting poems based on the scientists’ research to music, and we might incorporate visual elements to enhance the performance. These pieces will be debuted and shared this year.
Interests and Inspiration
Despite all the changes, my passion for the Winnipeg Jets remains unwavering. Maybe this year will be their year! It has been exciting to see them hover around first place in the league for the first half of the hockey season.
Podcasts continue to inspire me. I keep up with “The Bible for Normal People” and have discovered “Scoring Notes,” a podcast about music notation. Given my current project of setting poetry to music, I’ve also been listening to poetry podcasts like “Poetry Unbound” and “Resounding Verse.”
Health and Fitness
Running remains a big part of my life. Now that I’m turning 55, I’m entering a new age bracket for racing (55-60). My goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon this year, aiming for an 8:00/mile pace throughout. I made some good progress in my running last year.
Professional Milestones
Professionally, UConn approved a new Bachelor of Music in Jazz this year, marking a significant milestone. The program and students we attract continue to get better and better, and I find satisfaction in my work. I have several jazz education gigs lined up, including adjudicating high school bands in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the Clark Terry Jazz Festival at the University of New Hampshire, and our own high school jazz festival at UConn.
That’s a snapshot of what’s been happening in my world. Embracing both the highs and lows, I continue to explore and express my evolving self.
My now URL: nownownow.com/p/6dM7