What’s it Like to Play SXSW? Here’s My Story from The Elephant Room
SXSW is a beast of an event—a whirlwind of music, energy, and creative collisions. But for me, it’s also home.
Last night, I took the stage at The Elephant Room with John Mills Times Ten, and the place was packed. Standing-room only. There’s something electric about playing in a basement jazz club while the chaos of SXSW buzzes above you—like stepping into another world, where time bends to the rhythm of the horns, the groove of the bass, and the energy of the room.
But this wasn’t just any gig. The Elephant Room has been a part of my life for over 20 years. I’ve played here every first Wednesday of the month with John Mills Times Ten for more than 15 years.
It’s a place where legends drop in—like the night Bob Mintzer from the Yellowjackets sat in with my trio.
John and I go back even further—50 years as colleagues. In 2022, we decided to push our creative collaboration further and launched a new band, Double Vision, built on an equal partnership of all-original compositions.
🎵 Last year, during SXSW2024, we debuted my album Blu-Escape—a collection of all-original works. I not only composed the music but created visual artwork for each of the 9 tracks, making the project a true multimedia experience. The album was recorded and mixed by Chris Bell and mastered by Oli Morgan at Abbey Road Studios - London, in Apple ALAC High Definition and Apple Spatial Audio. This winter, we’re releasing a limited edition 180g vinyl pressing, overseen by Jeff Powell.
And now, exactly one year later… SXSW2025 brings another milestone.
On March 14, 2025, my title track "Blu-Escape" is All About Jazz's "Song of the Day"—a full-circle moment that brings this music to an even wider audience. 🎶
SXSW isn’t just a festival; it’s a testing ground. Your set has to cut through the noise—not with volume, but with soul. And when the music locks in, when you see heads nodding, feet tapping, people leaning in—you know you’ve got them.
🎷 One of my favorite moments? Watching new listeners get pulled into the music, people who may have stumbled in off the street or came in for a drink but left with a piece of jazz they didn’t know they needed. That’s the magic of playing a place like The Elephant Room—it’s intimate, real, and fueled by the city itself.
🎥 If you missed it, here’s a clip from the show! 📲
And if you’re a fan of jazz, improvisation, and the stories behind the music, I’d love for you to be part of my creative journey.
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See you at the next show!
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