CHARLES EARLAND: Today I’m celebrating the birthday of Charles Earland—an incredible jazz organist and one of my earliest musical influences via his album Black Talk! I was lucky to play with him later in my career. I’m grateful for the time we had and the music we shared. Happy birthday, Charlie.

CANTIGNY JAZZ FEST: One month from now, on June 21st, I’ll be bringing my Bobby Broom Organi-Sation (my organ trio with Ben Paterson) to the Cantigny Jazz Fest, presented in partnership with our Chicago-area Jazz radio station, WDCB. Tickets are up now via my Link in Bio, so grab yours now.

SLANG OF AGES on NOTES OF THANKS: Recently, I sat down with music reviewer Preston Frazier on his podcast, Slang of Ages, to chat about my new album, Notes of Thanks. Listen to the interview, read the full review and find Notes of Thanks on vinyl, digital, and streaming via my Link in Bio.

NOTES OF THANKS at THE JAZZ SHOWCASE: Thank you to everyone who came out to the Jazz Showcase over the weekend to see me, Dennis Carroll, & Kobie Watkins celebrate the release of our new album, Notes of Thanks. It’s always a pleasure to take the stage there. Check out the album via my Link in Bio.

JACKIE McLEAN: I’m thinking about my friend, mentor, and fellow Harlemite Jackie McLean, who would have celebrated his birthday today.There’s so much I owe to Jackie, but one of the most impactful is my path as a university professor and jazz educator. Happy birthday, Jackie. 📸: Francis Wolff

Tonight at the Jazz Showcase! Join me, Dennis Carroll, and Kobie Watkins at the Jazz Showcase here in Chicago, where we’ll be celebrating the release of Notes of Thanks, our new Sonny Rollins tribute album, from now through May 17th. Get your tickets via my Link in Bio! 📸: Sandy Morris

NOTES OF THANKS AT THE JAZZ SHOWCASE: Starting tomorrow (May 14th) and running through May 17th, me & my trio will celebrate the release of our new Sonny Rollins tribute album, Notes of Thanks, at The Jazz Showcase. Get your tickets and find Notes of Thanks via my Link in Bio.

JIMMY PONDER: Today we’re celebrating the birthday of Jimmy Ponder, one of the unsung heroes of the instrument. I remember learning about Jimmy back in the 70s, when I was coming up as a musician and taking in all the jazz guitar music I could find. Happy birthday, Jimmy! 📸: via Fretboard Journal

THE JAZZ SHOWCASE: NOTES OF THANKS. In a week, on May 14th-17th, I’ll be at the Jazz Showcase with the trio (Dennis Carroll and Kobie Watkins) to celebrate the release of our new album, Notes of Thanks. Find the album and your tickets to see us at the Jazz Showcase via my Link in Bio.

RON CARTER: Today I’m wishing a happy 89th birthday to a living legend of jazz bass, Maestro Ron Carter. Here’s a clip from 2011 at Jazz sous les Pommiers, when I was honored to tour Europe with Mr. Carter and Mulgrew Miller. Happy birthday, Maestro!

NOTES OF THANKS: On May 1st, the new Sonny Rollins tribute album, Notes of Thanks, was released from my trio with Dennis Carroll and Kobie Watkins. If you haven’t heard it yet, you can find it on my bandcamp page, bobbybroom.bandcamp.com , as well as all your favorite streaming platforms.

NEW JAZZ ALBUM: NOTES OF THANKS! Finally! My new Sonny Rollins Tribute Album, Notes of Thanks, is here. You can buy it now on digital & LP via my Bandcamp page, bobbybroom.bandcamp.com , and find it via all your favorite streaming platforms as well. Enjoy! This tune off the album is called "Kim."

NOTES OF THANKS: Tomorrow! It’s almost time for the release of my new Sonny Rollins tribute album, Notes of Thanks, on vinyl and digital on May 1st, 2026. Both the digital downloads and the LPs are available for preorder now on my Bandcamp page, bobbybroom.bandcamp.com Stay tuned!

Happy International Jazz Day! Catch me in concert tonight, April 30th, as part of the International Jazz Day “All Stars” at the Global Concert at Lyric Opera House here in Chicago. Learn more and watch the livestream at jazzday.com #internationaljazzday

NOTES OF THANKS: There’s less than a week remaining before the release of my new Sonny Rollins tribute album, Notes of Thanks, on May 1st! It’s available for preorder now on my Bandcamp page, bobbybroom.bandcamp.com Meanwhile, stay tuned here and via my Link in Bio for more news.

STEVE KHAN: Today, I’m wishing a happy birthday to fellow guitarist Steve Khan. I don’t remember how exactly Steve and I connected, but I remember he was very nice to the youngster that I was at the time. I congratulate him on the great music he’s made and wish him all the best going forward. HBD!

INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY: Exciting news, everyone. Chicago, Illinois will host the 2026 International Jazz Day and I’ll have the honor of being one of the “All Stars” at the Global Concert at Lyric Opera House on April 30th, 2026. Learn more and watch the livestream at jazzday.com

Today! Tune in on The Jazz Standard on KAYA 959 to hear my interview with host Brenda Sisane.

JOE HENDERSON: Today would’ve been the birthday of legendary tenor sax player Joe Henderson. Joe is one of my favorite musicians ever on his instrument. I wish we could’ve played together, but even just listening to him is almost as good. HBD Joe Henderson! 📸: Tom Copi/Michael Ochs Archive

NOTICE: VELVET NOTE CANCELLATION. I just wanted to give everyone a heads-up that my gig on April 24th-25th at the Velvet Note in Atlanta, Georgia, is no longer happening. My apologies to those of you who bought tickets and were looking forward to the show. Hopefully I can return to Georgia soon!

TOMMY TURRENTINE: Today I’m remembering the great trumpet player Tommy Turrentine on what would’ve been his birthday. Tommy may be lesser known compared to Stanley, but he was no less talented. I highly recommend checking it out his music if you haven't. Happy Birthday, Tommy Turrentine. 📸: ?

FREEDOM SUITE (PART 1): From my upcoming Sonny Rollins Tribute Album, Notes of Thanks, here's a clip of “Freedom Suite (Part 1).” Joining me in the band are Kobie Watkins (drums) and Dennis Carroll (bass). Notes of Thanks will be available on May 1st, on vinyl as well as all streaming platforms.

WILLIE PICKENS: Today I’m remembering what would’ve been the 95th birthday of pianist and mentor Willie Pickens. Willie was one of the first jazz elders I connected with after making the move from NYC to Chicago in the ’80s. He welcomed me in and gave me opportunities to grow. 📸: Marc PoKempner

MASTERCLASS FEST AMSTERDAM: Today, I’ll be sharing my knowledge at Masterclass Festival Amsterdam! The Masterclass Festival is exactly what it sounds like: a gathering of artists from around the world, coming together to share their skills. Grab your tickets via my Link in Bio if you haven’t yet!

THE VELVET NOTE: In just a week, I’ll be back in the state of Georgia for two nights at The Velvet Note in Atlanta. I’ll be joined by a fantastic quartet: Louis Heriveaux on piano, Tommy Sauter on bass, and Xavier Breaker on drums. Tickets for April 24th–25th are available now via my Link in Bio!

MASTERCLASS FEST AMSTERDAM: Tomorrow, April 18th, find me at Masterclass Fest Amsterdam in the Hague! Masterclass Festival Amsterdam is an international gathering centered around the creative process, bringing together artists from a wide range of disciplines. Tickets are up via my Link in Bio.

ALFIE’S THEME: Today I’m sending a special thanks to TIDAL for featuring one of my upcoming album’s singles, “Alfie’s Theme,” on their Grown Jazz playlist! “Alfie’s Theme” is from my upcoming Sonny Rollins tribute album, Notes of Thanks. The album is out May 1st, so stay tuned via my Link in Bio

STEVE DAVIS: Today I’m wishing a happy 59th birthday to trombonist Steve Davis! I don’t know Steve well, but I love his playing. He has such a purity of energy when he plays, and it’s so clear that he loves the music he’s immersed in. Happy birthday, Steve! 📸: via Berklee College of Music

HERBIE HANCOCK: Today, we're celebrating the birthday of Herbie Hancock. Herbie was a catalyst for my jazz awakening. It was his radio hits that opened my ears to the possibility that I might like jazz. Happy Birthday Herbie. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon! Photo via Everything Jazz

A great new live album release from Dr. John and the Lower 9-11. This was the end of my six-year run with him and is a beautiful representation of how tight and powerful the band was.

JOEY DeFRANCESCO: Today would’ve been the birthday of jazz multi-instrumentalist Joey DeFrancesco. I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with him a few times over the years. Here we are in 2019, courtesy of photographer Jim Funk. Happy birthday, Joey.

GEORGE FREEMAN: Today would’ve been the birthday of fellow guitarist George Freeman. I remember seeing him play at the Green Mill here in Chicago. I went to chat with him at the bar after the show, and he gave me some truly touching words of encouragement. Happy birthday, George. 📸: John J. Kim

FREEDOM SUITE (PART 1): Today, I present to you the next song from Notes of Thanks, my upcoming Sonny Rollins Tribute Album: “Freedom Suite (Part 1).” Listen to the full track of “Freedom Suite (Part 1)” on my YouTube channel here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyBN...

Tune in! I’m featured today starting now on SiriusXM’s RealJazz Channel 67. 📸 : Jim Funk

STANLEY TURRENTINE: Today is the birthday of Stanley Turrentine, one of many jazz greats I’m privileged to have had the opportunity to work with. I’m grateful for the time we shared, and I still feel his absence. Happy birthday, Stanley. 📸: Francis Wolff for Blue Note Records.

HUGH MASEKELA: Today I’m remembering the birthday of trumpet legend Hugh Masekela. He took me on my first international tour as a musician, and his recording Live in Lesotho is the one of the only recordings of me pre- Clean Sweep. I have a lot of great memories with him.

NOTES OF THANKS NEWS! The Notes of Thanks release day is right around the corner. Starting today, April 3rd, you can find our first single from the album, “Alfie’s Theme,” up on all your favorite streaming platforms. Today is also the first day that you can pre-order the album itself on vinyl!

DAZZLE DENVER: #flashback to March 1st, when I brought my Bobby Broom Trio– Dennis Carroll and Kobie Watkins– to Dazzle Denver for two sets. I also had the pleasure of visiting my amp company’s headquarters, Henriksen Amps, for a workshop with 25-ish local guitarists. Thanks for having me, Denver!

NOTES OF THANKS: This May, I’m happy to be announcing the release of my next album, Notes of Thanks. Today, I’m sending my thanks to All About Jazz, who just published an article about Notes of Thanks and its upcoming release. Check it out via my Link in Bio. Photo by Sandy Morris

JAMES MOODY: March 26th would’ve been the birthday of saxophonist James Moody. I had the honor and the pleasure of meeting James Moody back when I was a member of Kenny Burrell’s Jazz Guitar Band. I remember him being super personable, and very cool to a youngster like I was at the time.

VICTOR BAILEY: Electric Bassist Supreme. It would’ve been his birthday today. He and I met in the dorms of Berklee back in 1978, and we were great friends from that moment on. We toured internationally together, and I have such fond memories of him. Happy Birthday, Victor.

Exciting PSA: I’m re-releasing my first trio record, Stand!, as a limited edition vinyl to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Only 200 copies will be printed. They’re up for sale on my Bandcamp page, which you can find via my Link in Bio. I’ll be happy to sign them too if you leave a note!

THE VELVET NOTE: 1 month from now, I’m coming back to Georgia for two nights at the Velvet Note in Atlanta! Joining me will be Louis Heriveaux at the piano, Tommy Sauter on bass, & Xavier Breaker on drums. Grab your tickets now for April 24th - 25th via my Link in Bio. See you then.

GEORGE BENSON: Today I’m thinking about one of my greatest musical heroes, George Benson. Any conversation about the giants of jazz guitar simply isn’t complete without his name. If you’d like to read some of my thoughts on a few of my favorite tunes of his, you can here: tinyurl.com/radcfama

MELVIN SPARKS: Today marks the birthday of Melvin Sparks, the first real jazz guitarist I ever heard. I first heard Melvin’s playing at 10 years old on an album I loved: Black Talk by Charles Earland. Happy Birthday, Melvin. Thinking of you today. 📸: Scott Bernstein, subject to copyright

ROSETTA THARPE: I want to take a moment to recognize the birthday of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a pioneering gospel vocalist and guitarist from the '30s and '40s whose style of playing and performing had a profound influence on what would later be called rock and roll. 📸: James J. Kriegsmann

Masterclass Festival Amsterdam: One month from now, on April 18th, I’ll be paying a visit to the Hague for Masterclass Festival Amsterdam. Tickets are up via my Link in Bio, so grab yours now and I’ll see you next month. Photo by Doug Graham Photography

Today, join me for a #flashback to 2020, when I joined fellow guitarist Isaiah Sharkey as a duet for the Jazz Foundation’s COVID 19 Musicians’ Emergency Fund. Here we are playing “We’ll Be Together Again.” Enjoy! Listen to the full video via my YouTube channel here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tntI...

AN EVENING WITH BOBBY BROOM: Just recently, I performed at the DeSoto Theatre in Rome, Georgia, hosted by Sam Burrell and the NWGA Jazz Society. My thanks to you for having me and being such a great host! Special thanks to everyone who came to the show. Find out what's next via my Link in Bio.

JAMES WILLIAMS: Today I’m remembering pianist James Williams, who would have celebrated his birthday today. James was a remarkable musician and someone whose encouragement meant a great deal to me early in my career. Happy birthday, James, and thank you.