New Album for Jazz Orchestra

I’m thrilled to finally share this news: my debut large-ensemble album, Along the Way, will be released worldwide this October 2026, on Origin Records. This is a big band album at heart, one built on melody, reflection, and discovery. The eight tracks range from groove-driven tunes and swinging numbers to lyrical ballads and harmonically adventurous charts. It’s contemporary big band music that still remembers where it came from.

The Musicians

One of the things I’m proudest of is the roster of musicians who brought this music to life. Lead trumpet duties fall to Bijon Watson, with Jared Schonig anchoring the rhythm section on drums, and the great Clay Jenkins joining as a special guest soloist alongside Todd DelGiudice, Doug Stone, Joshua Bowlus, and Lenard Simpson. The album was mixed and mastered by David Darlington at Bass Hit Studios in New York City.

Woodwinds

Todd DelGiudice lead alto saxophone · soprano saxophone · flute

Michael Emmert alto saxophone · flute

Lenard Simpson alto saxophone (track 4)

Doug Stone tenor saxophone · clarinet

Fernando Cruz tenor saxophone · clarinet

Karli Bunn baritone saxophone · bass clarinet

Trumpets/Flugelhorns

Bijon Watson lead

Clay Jenkins (tracks 3, 5 & 6)

Mark Filsinger

Dave Hart

Ray Callender

Trombones

Clarence Hines lead

Bernie Greenlee

B. Walden Shaw

Gina Benalcazar bass trombone

Rhythm

Joshua Bowlus piano

Emiliano Lasansky bass

Jared Schonig drums

What’s Next

Between now and October, I’ll be sharing more: stories behind individual tracks, glimpses of the recording process, and details on where you can hear this music live.