One live music experience that changed my perspective is when I went with my daughter Stella to see Trombone Shorty at Art Park in June 2024. Stella has been a student of jazz music for a few years, wanted to go and raved about him. I’d only ever heard one song by him, which she had in constant rotation in the car, but I was curious and I never say no to live music nor a sweet summer evening overlooking the Niagara Gorge.

When Trombone Shorty went on framed by a deep sunset, it was like staring into the actual sun. There was an insane light show, back up dancers and singers, multiple instrumentalists stepping up and stealing the show and of course, Trombone Shorty putting on a performance like I’ve never seen in my life. He used a trombone with a pick up so he could play and run around through the huge Art Park crowd all the way to its farthest reaches. I was blown away. He didn’t miss a beat for hours. Literally. It was one of the most entertaining and engaging shows I’ve ever seen and it expanded everything I thought I knew about live music.