It's Been A While...

It's definitely been quite a while since my last post... over 4 years! Alot has happened since then, including having released two CD's. The first one on Fresh Sound Records called "Perspective", was released in 2005 and features guitarist Lage Lund, pianist Robert Glasper, bassist Vicente Archer, drummer Johnathan Blake, and guest tenor saxophonist Mark Turner. The second release is on my own label Changu Records and is called "Optimism". It was released in March of 2008 and features the same cast with Joe Martin replacing Vicente Archer on bass and Jeremy Pelt as a guest on trumpet.

I've also been fortunate to have been given the opportunity to play with the Roy Haynes Quartet since 2005. So far we've recorded one album "Whereas", released in 2006.... What else?? Life!!!! I guess I have lots to catch you up on.... But I'll have to get to that another time....

My First Blog

Happy New Year... It's my first Blog at 6:30am!! I couldn't sleep, so I decided to get online and surf the net. I ended up finding this Blog site and figured - why not? I'm glad I can start this New Year fresh and with a clear head. It's a great feeling. I learned and experienced many things last year that made me realize I still have some growing and maturing to do. I'm glad God showed me these things and put me through those things too.
Well, this year my album will HAVE TO COME OUT! I know some of yaw'll are like COME ON LEEL, but I really want to try to get the best deal I can get. And I've learned that record company rule # 4080 (record company people are shady!) is oh so true! I also plan on shedding on some of my doubles a little more than I have in the past. Especially my sop. sax, flute, and piano. I want to get stronger on those.... Well, that's all I have to say on for today... I'm going to try to get some shut eye again. I hope this blog finds and holds the interest of SOMEONE out there.... If not, they can check me @ http://www.jaleelshaw.com
Later... - LEEL