Frost Drum Party - Spring 2026
Thanks so much to everyone that came by - and thanks @dante___anello for volunteering your place for the event!
It's all about the U!
Today I’m releasing a new piece entitled Studio Brekka. It was written to commemorate the opening of Studio Brekka in Reykjavik, the studio of a dear friend, Phil Doyle. Phil is an incredibly passionate saxophonist, and that spirit comes through so clearly in this recording.
The track also features the extraordinary talents of Martin Bejerano, a longtime friend and colleague who leads the jazz piano program at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. Jeff Carswell completes the ensemble with his superb work on acoustic bass.
As always, Craig Carothers’ artwork beautifully captures the mood and spirit of the piece.
At my boyhood home in North Carolina, there was a giant elm tree in the front yard. I used to lie beneath it, staring up through the leaves at the sky—thinking, dreaming. Some of my best memories were made right there.
The performance and production are entirely my own, with a touch of subtle seasoning from Suno. As always, Craig Carothers created the perfect visual.
If you enjoy it, I’d be grateful if you shared it.
@carothers.craig
#strings #pianostrings #cinematicmusic #ambientmusic #intimate #delicate #reflective #emotionalmusic #filmscore
This month’s release was the result of a Craig Carothers-type prompt: my idea was to write a tune using only major triads — one in each of the twelve keys, with no repeats — and then craft a melody that feels natural over the harmony. As an added challenge, the song rises a half step with each chorus.
Jeff Carswell (6-string fretless) and Lindsey Blair (guitar) brought the melody to life with beautiful nuance, far beyond what I imagined.
And Craig came through with cover art that is beautifully simple and perfectly suited to the music.
Take a listen, and if you enjoy it, pass it along.
City Of A Thousand Suns drops today. It’s a piece I wrote for my dear friend Jose Valentino, who also came up with the title. José was inspired by a line from the Persian poet Saib Tabrizi, who referred to Kabul as the city of a thousand suns — a symbol of ancient civilization, light, and endurance across time.
José shared that the music itself — and the mode he’s using — gave him the feeling of the ancient world colliding with the present, and that’s where the title really locked in.
The track features the incredible musicality and virtuosity of José on flute, Hal Roland on Rhodes, and Jeff Carswell on acoustic bass. And the artwork by Craig Carothers is spectacular.
I hope you enjoy it — and if it speaks to you, please feel free to share it.
ON ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS
#jazz #jazzflute #phrygian #ecm #acousticbass
We didn’t have the outcome we wanted, but we had an incredible hang, and that’s really all that matters. We've been going to games since this guy was 3 years old. ❤️ Next year!!🙌🏈💥
GO CANES!
