During the summer of 2013, Jon Lampley, Chris Ott and I met with Judy Shafer, Director of Education for Jazz Arts Group of Columbus, to discuss a project that would allow us to research and explore the basic human need for expression with a focus on the roots of American music, particularly jazz and the blues. To realize this vision, Jazz Arts Group chose us to be a part of their 2013 Arts Integration Project, which shares profoundly moving stories with students throughout the Columbus area. Plotting our course We knew we wanted to challenge ourselves as artists and create a project that could have a lasting impact on students. After brainstorming, we decided on a road trip to gather stories from music professionals in multiple cities around the country. We suspected this adventure would take us out of our comfort zone and into new territory. We were right. On the road We piled into my Honda Civic and spent two weeks traveling from one exciting encounter to another. We visited eight major music hubs: Chicago, Nashville, New Orleans, Jackson and Clarksdale, Mississippi, Memphis, St. Louis, and Kansas City, where we talked to dozens of incredible musicians, educators, and professionals in the music industry. They came from all walks of life, ranging in age from 39 to 87, and were all incredibly generous. They shared their stories, their passion for music, and their sage advice for the next generation of musicians. At every stop, we entered the homes of those we interviewed as strangers, but left as friends. Bringing it all home Once we returned home, we started putting the whole experience to music. The adventure pushed us to experiment with styles and genres we had never before explored. By embracing spontaneity, and seeking reflection and originality in each piece, we developed a collection of songs that feature improvisation and the entire group playing in the moment. Like our journey, the recording sessions evolved in a free, unforced manner. Before we started, we had no idea how profound this journey would be for us. It has changed each of us as composers, as musicians, and as people. Our travels taught us that American music is social and meant to be shared. We are so excited to share the musical story of our adventure with you. We sincerely hope you enjoy, “Your Song.”​