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Rest of Florida Trip4/2/2024 Had a great rest of the week. Left Miami early to travel back up to Sarasota. Saw Mom and Dad Townley, had a great time with former student James Suggs and Duke Ellington bassist John Lamb, saw a dolphin and came back to snow.
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Day 2 Florida3/19/2024 Day 2 began with breakfast with my friends Lynn and Renee Asper. Then made my way down to Miami. On the way saw some panther crossings signs, I didn't see any, but wanted to, then I stopped for gas but couldn't pull into the first pumps because there were chickens in the way. Why are there chickens at the shell station in Miami? LOL Then I had lunch with one of my first drum heroes Mike Harvey who gave me my first drum set. Then had coffee with my friend Eric Law from MSU who is a great saxophonist. Then made it to my Airbnb in Miami Beach right on the ocean. (wrong side for the sunset however)
Day 1 Florida3/19/2024 First pictures what I was leaving in MI. Snow, cold, and grey. Then I think the night pictures are around the Atlanta area. Flew into Tampa, drove down to Naples and saw my good friend Mike Hamann's mom and we had a great time and visit. So I'm sitting eating dinner and I look 2 tables over and see my college band directors wife and daughter. What are the chances. So had to take some pictures and unfortunately it was a cloudy day but still loved seeing the ocean! I've already seen so much MSU stuff down here! LOL
Paul Simon Tribute band concert3/19/2024 Had a good time at this concert in Holland. Had some friends in the audience, got to play with my college roommate, and everyone in the band is very nice. The soundcheck was rough because I had no monitor or "ears" but once they got it figured out, it was probably the best concert ever for me to hear myself at a gig. I could make my own mix through an app. Pretty slick!
Good Bye O'l Friend3/19/2024 Well, little did I know these would be the last 2 photos I'd take with Mia.2nd one helping me do my taxes! LOL Mia passed away suddenly on the 14th of March. She was my best bud and helped my Mom, Talia, and me get through some tough seasons. God really used her. I've heard mixed options on animals going to heaven or not but I'd like to think Talia and my Mom had a welcome home party for her saying job well done! Much love to you Mia. Thanks for everything!
Diego Rivera & Friends3/19/2024 It was great to see my MSU family in Ann Arbor. Diego played a concert featuring numbers from his newest CD. We were also celebrating my friend Maria's birthday. After we went over and heard an amazing jazz trio that I will be going back down to see at some point!
Byron Collage Concert3/7/2024 I can't believe I've been working with Byron for 19 years! I had the honor of being the guest artist for their collage concert this year. It was fun reflecting with Marc about the past both former students and accomplishments and dreams realized. A special moment for me was getting to play with former student Austin Hunt's Middle School band. Another special moment was getting to play with both Marc and Megan and now Isaac on a Wynton Marsalis song. It was also fun to play both drums and trumpet. It was a truly special night to spend with my Byron family and community. Thank you so much!
WMU3/7/2024 This was the first time I've been back to WMU Jazz Festival in a long time. It was so good to see all the groups I have relationships with and also nephew Elijah and Elliot Mason!
Brother Rick Fronts the Symphony3/7/2024 It was so fun to watch Brother Rick be featured with the GR Symphony! This was a tremendous honor and he knocked it out of the park. So happy for him! Congrats!
Day 13 - Ravenscroft2/27/2024 I've been hearing about a new jazz club in PHX called Ravenscroft. I had such a great time. I love their mission, Met some really great people, heard some great music. Very excited about what God is doing with this institution!
Day 10 & 11 - PHX2/23/2024 Hiked Piestewa today, then went and saw the great Byron Stripling. Had to stop and see where Talia and I first met.
Day 8 & 9 - LA, Riverside, back to PHX2/22/2024 Was great going to see my Brother Vin work in his other jobs than Take 6 and catch up with his family. Beautiful drive back!
Day 7 - Palm Springs2/22/2024 First I always love this drive. I never get sick of the mountains! Had a great time with the Kaneys and even got to sit in at Mark's gig at a place Lucy and Desi owned. Also was able to get a hike in with Mark going up to see Bob Hope's estate.
Phx - Day 5 & 62/18/2024 I'm having a great time in PHX. Always has been a place of refuge for me. Weather has been beautiful and so have the hikes and fellowship with loved ones.
PHX Day 42/16/2024 Had a fun day with Sheila Early and family hiking. Great fellowship and beautiful surroundings and weather!
PHX Day 32/15/2024 I never get sick of the mountains. I'd always tease Talia that she was oblivious to them. I stand in a parking lot and take pictures of the mountain behind it, hence the first picture. I went to a dive, drive in... restaurant and it was really good. Then did my first hike in my old stomping grounds at Papago Park. Went up to my prayer rock that I've been going to for over 20 years every time I come to PHX. The intersection picture is where I used to live on 52nd street and Ironically Talia lived there too and didn't know it. I don't think it was at the same time. Then of course flowers and fruit, things you don't see in MI at this point!
PHX Day 22/15/2024 Went to the Pistons vs Suns game today. Not much of a game and Devin Booker got ejected in the first 5 mins. which was ridiculous. To my surprise, my friend Lewis Nash was being honored so that made it even more fun! Phx day 12/15/2024 The day started off when I'm on the escalator in Detroit and I hear "Max Colley" lol it was the great pianist Matthew Fries. It was fun to get caught up with him. Then I was able to by pass one of my flights to Atlanta and go directly to PHX which was great but only one of my suitcases made it but they were great and delivered the other one right to the house. No harm done. Love taking pictures from the plane and when they have the flight tracker so I know what I'm looking at! So thankful for Deborah Verdier and our friendship over the years going back to grade school. I'm glad I'm called to sometimes dogsit and housesit. It's a tough job but someone has to do it! LOL yea right. Absolutely beautiful out here!
Sean Mason2/15/2024 This was my first time seeing Sean Mason. It will not be my last! His release The Southern Suite is truly one of my all time favorite albums. It was fun to learn about him growing up with Luther Allison also! Concert was amazing. So glad to have heard the group live. The added bonus is when concerts are in KZoo , I always have someone to go with. Nephew Lij is a jazz major at WMU so always happy to be able to make it down there to hang with my nephew!
Kenny Washington & Columbus JO2/15/2024 The Columbus Jazz Orchestra has truly become a family for me. I'm always greeted so warmly by so many in the band. Byron is about as class act as you get. Byron called me shortly after Talia's passing and said I'm going to be in your area and there is a ticket waiting for you. Some music and fellowship will start the healing process. It was one of so many acts of love that I will never forget. One of my favorite singers on the planet is Kenny Washington, as always have to qualify not the drummer. LOL Truly one of the most soulful singers I've ever heard. It was so good to get caught up and love him dearly. All of the music and fellowship was good for the soul and I'm blessed and grateful!
CMU Jazz Fest2/15/2024 The CMU Jazz Fest has been a part of my life since I think I was 7 years old. It was the one day I would get out of school to go with my dad and the HS band, then after all those years of attending as a kid, I got to participate as a HS student, followed by being in the final concert as a student at CMU. Now, I'm asked to adjudicate the bands. Full circle moments. I also had fun getting to play drums during the judges jam. So many family and friends and teachers were there. Always a homecoming.
Eagles2/15/2024 It is super fun to be able to just drive 4 miles from my house and watch these eagles!
Friends and Fellowship2/15/2024 I would have to say one of the biggest things I cherish most is relationships. God has blessed me with so many around the world from all walks of life. Was fun to get caught up with Jeff Cousins who was our bus driver for MSU on all our trips. He always goes beyond for us and am so thankful for him.
I surprised Uncle G by having my sister come down and join me. Every time we get together he asks how pops is doing and how is my sister doing? It's hard for my sister to make trips like this because it takes a lot of energy but wanted to have fun and surprise him too, so it was just a really great time to all fellowship. I met Ralston and Tony at my former church but they have become such inspirations to me and unfortunately we all belong to a club none of us wanted to join. God has blessed me so much by these two, especially at the beginning when they had been through what I have and we didn't have to use words because we all lived it so no need to explain. They just knew the pain! So thankful for them! Max Colley IIISpirit Filled Jazz Musician Archives
May 2024
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