In Sept 2006 I performed a wonderful series of concerts in Brazil with Thiago de Mello and Antonio Mello, in Rio de Janeiro, and also in the "Mostra International de Musica em Olinda" near Recife, Pernambuco. (see "Inspiration" below) Audiences were great and the crews superb. Lume Arte, the producer of the festival, originates from a great love of music and manifests an impressive blend of vision and attention to detail.

I was also invited to perform as a special guest with Sharon Isbin and Thiago de Mello. I love playing Thiago's music, and Sharon always brings performance to a very high level. In addition I gave a clinic for some very motivated and naturally talented young reed players.

Then in my spare time, I studied with the amazing young "AcariOcamerata" of Acari and sat in with Ney Conceiçao, Marcos Amorim, Fernando Trocados, Eduardo Neves and many others. Saw great musicians everywhere, and a bigger than life show by Ithamara Koorax. As if that was not enough, my friends from new Orleans, Tom McDermott and Evan Christopher were in Rio, and we had a chance to hang out and play with some great Cariocas! I gained a wealth of friendship and the "Inspiration" tour truly lived up to its name.