(3/3) August 16th 2012 I’m in a bar in Greenwich Village, NYC with some friends celebrating ten years in America. Still a Non-Resident ALIEN, I had just been written into the US Congressional Record, got my first grant and had used the funds 2 weeks prior To record Creole Soul. I had just finished my third year as a professor at MSU and had been touring with my group as well as my idols. I had been reeling in sorrow for months after the loss of my mentor and dear friend Ralph MacDonald who had transitioned in December 2011. In six years he changed my life, put me on a path and was keen on making sure I didn’t make the same mistakes he did. Being an artist, we strive to bring joy to people no matter what’s on our inside, but the struggles still come out in the delivery. At the bar we drink, laugh and talk into the wee hours finally starting to chipper up. I had no clue what the next 10 years would bring. August 16th 2022 I’m flying to Miami again, this time from Ghana heading to @univmiami @frostschoolum to welcome a new crop of students to campus. I see my eager 19 year old self in them, chatting with their parents (some of whom are my age or younger - hey disturbing) letting them know that the journey is multi faceted and that everything will work out. 20 years flew by. 20 years ago it was longer than I had lived. I’m lucky enough to have great memories from each of those 20 years. Family, Friends, Lovers, Haters, Teachers, Mentors, Gigs, Records, Awards, Degrees, Students, Tours, Pandemic(s), police encounters, continents, islands, territories, hikes, explorations, research and food have taught me so many lessons, some bitter, some sweet, some both, all humbling yet edifying. I’m truly grateful to everyone who made these last 20 years as flavorful as can be. I’m especially indebted to those who have moved into the ancestral realm, hearing their voices when I pause to choose the next direction or when I’m lucky enough to have a second to soak in a memorable moment from yesteryear. We’ll see where I end up in 2032 Cheers