I'm very proud of this moment with the greatest flutest in the world, Hubert Laws. This was the night he and I were honored to be inducted into the KTSU (radio) Texas Southern Jazz Hall of Fame.

Last night's show was magical. Props to Takana Miyamoto for such grace and beauty in her playing and persona (and for covering my tracks when I faltered). Jeff Golub and Kenneth Whalum III (surprise guest!) were super. Check out MillenniumPromise.org

Wow. God is creative (by definition)! Central Park

I took a second to document this tree during my walk in Central Park... Back to walking. This is the day that the Lord has made!

We had such a good time at the Moja Arts Festival held at the College of Charleston Saturday night. Also featured was Quenton Baxter (drummer) and his awesome trio. My band that night as pictured: My brother Kevin-vocals, myself, Hudson Gloria-bass (Brazil), Kevin Turner-guitar, Eric Valentine-drums and John Stoddart-keys (kneeling). What a wonderful group of musicians. Props to Hudson who played with me for the first time -- did lots of homework! Have a good trip to Brazil my brother -- contact a good promoter for us... The photographer was the most handsome of the bunch -- Mac McDonnell-sound engineer.

Well I didn't get to see my hotel room in LA (I think this is a record short trip for me) and was lucky enough to get that seat on the red-eye back east that didn't recline! But after my experience earlier yesterday of the engine failure, I'm good. No, God is good!

We just now deplaned in Atlanta after having lost an engine on our plane! 10 minutes into the ascent we heard a big BANG (those on the right side saw smoke) and saw the monitors in the seat-backs go black. The aircraft then shifted "pitch" to flat horizontal (no longer ascending). I began to pray. My pastor and one of his assistants happened to be on the same flight in the seats beside me -- I know they were praying. It was really frightening but I didn't panic -- not in the sense of being without hope.

I began to worship God, the Great Musician, The Lord Jesus, The Holy One, the Alpha and the Omega, exalted, blessed forevermore. My peace was in knowing Him, not so much in knowing what the outcome might be.

It was frightening.

But here we are. I would like to send a word of encouragement and love to families of airline disasters, especially on 9/11. God bless and restore you.

I want to blog about this when I'm not sleepy (!) but I had to at least comment on this program tonight in Houston... Awesome! Dee Dee Bridgewater, Hubert AND Ronnie Laws, George Duke, Regina Belle... incredible. Hubert, Dee Dee and George did an impromptu version of Stella By Starlight... Historic.

If you happen to be affected by Hurricane Gustav please know that our prayers are with you. If you are not affected, please pray for those who are. My daughter just finished her degree at Loyola in New Orleans and was impacted by Katrina. We know how devastating this can be.

To those who missed the Music City JAM yesterday, we had a great time! Melinda Doolittle and Peter Frampton along with a great cast of jazz stars -- and it cooled down nicely after "sautéing" us nicely. I want to especially thank 3 friends of kirkwhalum.com and of Ruby's and mine who have been so faithful to us and so much of an encouragement -- Joy, Alysée and George. Looking out and seeing the 3 of you was like a cool drink of water in the heat for me! We struggled a bit because of technical glitches, so it was awfully nice to know that you had my back.

I'm not sure what will happen next on the Nashville festival scene (in terms of my involvement at least) but I am sincerely grateful to the guys who initially started the festival from "Nothing But Love" and to the Nashville Convention and Visitor's Bureau for giving me the chance to host these 5 years. the NBL guys will take the event back over next year and we wish them all the success in the world.