Hi Everyone.  I just wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank Mathias for coming on board to do some of the touring with the trio.  My schedule here in Nashville is crazy and it's not always easy for me to get away.  With Ian and Tim both in Los Angeles, it definitely makes a lot of sense to have someone out there that can "climb into the back of a van and travel" as Mr. Fripp suggested and longed for on his wonderful liner notes for our cd.  I have spoken to and emailed back and forth with Mathias and I know that the group and the music is in great hands.  I'm sure he will dazzle at the shows that I can't be at, and I know you will all welcome him with open arms.  In the meantime, I will be working here in Nashville and looking forward to the times that I'll be able to join the band on the road from time to time.  Just wanted to let you all know that I am not getting up and walking away from the piano bench, but rather sliding over and making room for another talented contributor to the group.  Ian has said it best that he is becoming like Art Blakey, who had a core band that he used as often as possible, but also had several other talented replacements from time to time.  Sometimes these guys made the band swing even harder.  Those of you that are familiar with Miles Davis' famous 1960's quintet will know that although Ron Carter played on all of the records from that period, and played many of the high profile gigs on the east coast, he was often so busy with work in NYC, that he could not go out and travel across the country with Miles and the rest of the group.  Just so you know, I am definitely NOT comparing myself to Ron Carter by any stretch of the imagination, but I hope you all understand my meaning.

Hope that you all enjoy Mathias' playing.  I know he will swing his butt off...and I look forward to the times when I can get out there and play with the group and see you all out on the road from time to time.  Who knows?  Maybe someday we'll all get to play together so we can have our own crazy take on Crimson's double trio format of the mid '90s and Mathias and I can create a double piano whammy with Tim and Ian.  Is that a CJ3+1 or CJ4 or CJ2 + P2?...E=MC2??? 

Talk to you all soon! 

Peace, Jody