Love Sings Released! Nov. @Lilypad, Bernard Purdie&Nate Smith @PIJF, Photos

Nate Smith

Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival 2026

Love Sings !! All About Jazz

Love Sings was released on September 18, 2026, and we're delighted to share that during its first two weeks, tracks from the album were added to playlists hosted by jazz radio presenters from San Diego to Boston. A special thank you to Al Davis of WGBH for helping bring our music to new listeners in Boston!

Physical CDs are available at our live performances at The Lilypad, or you can order one by mail through my Square store: Love Sings (mail order purchase here)

You can also read more about Love Sings at All About Jazz.for everyone who has listened, shared, and supported the project.

Thank you for being part of the journey!!

Join us at The LIlypad

Nov. 14!

Frank Wilkins-piano Bobby Tynes-sax Dave Zox- bass James Kamal Jones-drums

We return to The Lilypad in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Saturday, November 14, from 4:30 to 6:30 PM.

This special performance celebrates Love Sings, my fifth CD release, and revisits favorite songs from our earlier albums. We're looking forward to sharing music that spans the years, reflecting the stories, friendships, and creative journey that have shaped our work together.

Tickets are $15 and will go on sale November 1st at joanwatsonjones.com/lilypad-tickets.

This will be our final 2026 performance at The Lilypad. I'll be sending your invitation soon, and we'll keep you updated as our 2027 performance schedule begins to take shape.

We hope you'll join us for an afternoon of music, memories, and celebration as we close out a wonderful year together.

The Jazz Room Goes to

Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival

This was our fourth year attending the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, and once again it was an inspiring experience. We were especially excited to meet and interview the legendary drummer Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, as well as acclaimed drummer Nate Smith, who currently serves as Artistic Director of the Newport Jazz Festival.

Bernard “Pretty” Purdie was honored with the PIJF Luminary Award, the festival's lifetime achievement recognition, at the 16th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival.

These interviews, along with our 2026 conversation with saxophonist, Tia Fuller at the Newport Jazz Festival, are currently in post-production and will be released in the coming weeks.