As a jazz musician, I think of myself as a performer first, but I also compose and teach. All of these endeavors serve to form who I am as a musician. Jazz, with its reliance on improvisation offers, I believe, the ultimate medium to foster creativity. As the music unfolds, jazz musicians react to what they themselves just improvised, and in group settings, react to one another in an extremely personal manner.

I have chosen to represent myself as a collaborator. The first selection is Delancey Street from my CD Popular Delusions. This original features driving bass, an aggressive melody, and some harmonic twist and turns, and is performed beautifully by a sextet of good friends. Next is the Charlie Chaplin standard Smile, with my wife, Karen Walker singing as I perform the instrumental parts using a computer program, with good friend Craig Fraedrich adding the beautiful trumpet solo. Finally, My Favorite Things, from the Sound of Music, features my daughter Rachel Merle-Smith. Here along with Rachel’s wonderful singing, I am playing all the parts. This selection has transformed in a holiday classic in recent years, so it seems fitting to include it as the season approaches.