Here are some photos of Cecil hanging out ...

... with Freddie Ravel

"Freddie had just come off the road with Al Jarreau and was in town recording some of his tunes for PianoDisc, including his hit 'Sunny Side Up'.  I caught up with him on a short break between takes.

"He's a great player, and one of the coolest piano brothers on the scene today.  Lots of positive energy."
 

... with David Benoit

"I've been listening to David Benoit since his first CD 'This Side Up' came out in the mid-1980s.  So when he came to town for a local appearance, I got the chance to meet him and join his group for dinner.

"I found out that, among other things, we share a passion for cigars; specifically, a Cuban Montecristo #2.  He has excellent taste in puros."

... with Brian Culbertson

"Brian was in town recording tunes from his album 'Come On Up' for PianoDisc.  Between sessions, we went out to Il Fornaio, an Italian restaurant in downtown Sacramento, to grab dinner.

"At the '05 NAMM Show in Anaheim, I got a chance to play some two-piano versions of BC tunes with Brian on two new Mason & Hamlin concert grand pianos.  We had a great time; he's a really great guy and an amazing pianist to jam with."

... with Tony Monaco

"I had recently finished listening to Tony's current CD 'Master Chops T'.  A true master of the Hammond B3, Tony's incredible technique and attitude just floored me.

"So when he appeared at the '05 Summer NAMM in Indianapolis, I had to meet him and see him play.  We went to the Jazz Kitchen that evening to see him with his trio.  An unbelievable musician and a really cool guy."

... with Brian Culbertson

"BC came to Sacramento in May 2006 for an outdoor concert with Warren Hill at the Radisson and I got to hang out with him and the band during the day.  Brian was playing a new Mason & Hamlin Model AA and his sound crew got a fantastic sound on the piano.

"Unfortunately, the concert was rained out that evening.  Brian came back in September 2006 with the band and played to a sold-out crowd.  Again, they got an amazing sound on the piano; BC and the guys were awesome."

... with Freddie Ravel and Brian Culbertson

"At the January 07 NAMM Show in Anaheim, Freddie and Brian both arrived at our exhibit room.  At the request of an admiring crowd, both artists treated everyone to an impromptu duet on two Mason & Hamlin grand pianos.  They didn't hold back, launching into a fiery latin funk groove that brought the house down.

"It's unbelievable to be able to hang out, play, and talk music with these two talented pianists. These guys are awesome."