Crispin & Kiku at the Kennedy Center

Crispin & Kiku at the Kennedy Center

by | Nov 8, 2015

On Oct. 18, 2015, we taped the “18th Annual Mark Twain Prize for Humor, honoring Eddie Murphy” (which debuts Nov. 23 on PBS stations nationally).  My band that night included trumpeter Kiku Collins, mugging with me here at dress rehearsal that afternoon....
Shaking it with Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard

Shaking it with Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard

by | Nov 8, 2015

Had some big fun last Sunday at the Kennedy Center in DC, music directing the 18th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Honoring Eddie Murphy, which debuts nationally on PBS stations Nov. 23, 2015. Pictured here: Brittany Howard (from Alabama Shakes), moi, and...
Esperanza Spalding Amazing at the White House

Esperanza Spalding Amazing at the White House

by | Nov 8, 2015

On Oct. 14 we taped a show in the East Room of the White House for PBS called “A Celebration of American Creativity”, which will debut on Jan. 8, 2016. One of the absolutely astounding artists we backed up that night was Esperanza Spalding, performing here...
Support the Adam Roth Cancer Treatment Fund

Support the Adam Roth Cancer Treatment Fund

by | Nov 8, 2015

Adam is a longtime friend and a uniquely gifted musician who, with his brother Charlie, helped me at key moments throughout the entire span of my artistic endeavors here in Gotham. He embodies the spirit of rock and roll past and present like no one else I’ve...
If VP Joe Biden Had My Hair . . .

If VP Joe Biden Had My Hair . . .

by | Nov 8, 2015

True Story   True story: 2013, in the East Room of the White House, just after Leon Pendarvis snapped this, Joe leaned in and whispered to me: “If I had your hair, I’d be President today. . . ” You can’t make this stuff up, folks!  ...