James Hughes

Transcribing is still the best way to learn how to improvise.  Often times, I transcribe bits and pieces and never write anything down. My main goal is to quickly acquire small melodic phrases to use in my soloing, or to…

So I have been deep in the Manistee National Forest teaching Jazz to high school students the past couple of weeks. If you are not from Michigan, look at your hand with your thumb to the right...it's located beneath your…

Sonny Red is an often forgotten soul in the pantheon of hard bop, but a real favorite of mine.  His "Detroit sound," that buoyancy in his tone and beautiful melodic lines with a real feel for the blues..gets me every…

Dr. Prof Leonard King is a storied jazz drummer, vocalist, composer and teacher from Detroit.  He has performed with the James Carter Organ Trio, Roy Brooks' Aboriginal Drum Choir, The Soul Messengers, a host of Motown recording artists, and is…

I have quite a week lined up! Each day is something new and different and although it presents a challenge, I am really looking forward to each gig. I totally love my life in music!!!

Wednesday at Black Lotus we…

Wow! I am really grateful for the attention that my latest recording has received.  Jimmy Smith and I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this project and it feels good knowing that people are checking it out…

I was totally blown away by the review The HSQ got by online music website AXS.  Music critic Carol Banks Weber not only gave our album a favorable review, she really dug into our compositions and understood where Jimmy…

This past week has been spent by listening to and practicing the music from Wayne Shorter's quintessential album SPEAK NO EVIL.  Thom Jurek of AllMusic describes it as "the avant-garde meets the hard-bop of the 1950s head on and everybody…

This week at Black lotus we put a spotlight on the music of The Brecker Brothers.  Needless to say, I've been preoccupied with this task the past few weeks! It's been a lot to prepare for starting with putting the…

This week at our Black Lotus Jam, we present a set of music featuring the compositions of pianist Barry Harris.  Mr. Harris is one of jazz's most prolific educators having mentored thousands of students and hosting weekly workshops for decades…

Nothing is better than time spent with your instrument practicing the things that need working out.  Technical facility is something that always needs developing, refining and refreshing...no matter the age, stage or phase of life we are in.  Here are…

Last week at our weekly jazz gig at Black Lotus Brewery, we featured the music of the Adderley Bros.  So I was shedding Cannonball solos all week, something I did a whole lot of when I was much younger.  Cannonball…