Author Archives: ltrainlane

1. That all of the hatred and division in DC this week was offset by the love and unity in LA. 2. That no matter how many wedding and corporate gigs I play, it’ll always feel more special to use my talents for giving back to others. 3. The joy of collaboration. 4. The tasteContinue reading “8 things for which i’m thankful. 2/1/2020”

Friends that have my best interests at all times. Being able to now jog at 6 mph on the treadmill. The challenge of learning complicated music. Heated leather car seats on a chilly morning. Apple slicers. Days that have spontaneous laughter that I cannot contain. The Humpty Dance. Keeping the faith, especially during times ofContinue reading “8 things for which i’m thankful. 1/29/2020”

That it feels much more like Spring than Winter. Restful sleep. Triumphant moments. Comfy sweatshirts. Powerful words of wisdom. Genuine friendship and support. Kick-ass jazz musicians. Peace from within.

Thank you, Charles Mingus. I’m sitting here in my La-Z-Boy, listening to music on iTunes Shuffle and looking through some of my scrapbooks. It’s amazing to look at pictures that seem like they were taken yesterday, but in fact we’re taken as long ago as 1975. There’s a very cool connection of listening to RayContinue reading “nostalgia outside of times square.”

The hope of reconnection. The common sense to neither watch the Pro Bowl or the Grammys this weekend. A gathering of friends. New exploration. Eating healthier. Raindrops, not snowflakes. The soulful music of Kirk Whalum. Being at 221 instead of 218 (and that’s not about my weight. ❤️)

This is one of those times when I’m glad to be 50. On the news this morning, they were showing the new viral sensation called the “Outlet Challenge.” The challenge is to take the plug part of a USB adapter, putting it partially in the wall electrical socket, and then sticking a penny to theContinue reading “andy warhol would be so disappointed.”

Warm sunshine on a cold day. That I didn’t listen to the voice in my head telling me to stay in bed this morning, as I had a great workout at the gym. Clear communication. Reflection and clarity regarding past mistakes. That the days are getting longer. The ability to work through my “lyrical writer’sContinue reading “8 things for which I’m thankful. 1/21/2020”

“Nothing is impossible, I have found. For when my chin is on the ground, I pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again.” – from the American Songbook This is one of my other “go-to” songs….I’ve been listening to it on repeat for about 15 minutes now, while processing an event thatContinue reading “getting up off the mat….”

I offer no apologies whatsoever for my love of the music of Chuck Mangione, David Sanborn and Marcus Miller. I’ve been very lucky to have had a few “musically divine interventions” in my life, and their music was involved in each one of them. I started playing trumpet in the late summer of 1977. ForContinue reading “Chuck, David and Marcus….a tremendous attitude of gratitude.”

It’s been a Happy New Year so far. I’m sitting here in the Ft. Lauderdale airport waiting for my flight home to DC, after spending an amazing 7 days cruising the Eastern Caribbean to start the new year. It’s easy to focus on the cliche resolution of losing the holiday weight to start the yearContinue reading “2020: having foresight in the year of hindsight.”