Wade in the Water, Stand in Freedom

The Long Road to Freedom

Last night was magical.

The audience in Gettysburg was ready to celebrate Juneteenth, and so was I. The Majestic Theater was packed to the brim. As the band and I stepped onto the stage, I began by reciting the Gettysburg Address, accompanied by Rico Jones on saxophone and Damon DueWhite on drums. It was a powerful and unforgettable moment.

From there, we moved into Wade in the Water, a spiritual that never fails to move me. The song was written to serve as a warning to enslaved people escaping to freedom, telling them to enter the water and hide their scent from the dogs that were tracking them. Standing in Gettysburg, surrounded by battlefields, cannons, monuments, and the cemetery filled with gravestones, I felt the weight of history. So many people fought and died for freedom, my freedom, your freedom, the freedom of my ancestors. It was deeply moving.

It feels to me that celebrating Juneteenth as a national holiday gives America an opportunity to focus on Black history, Black culture, and the ongoing journey toward a more perfect union. I believe that’s a positive step forward and one that gives me great hope.At the end of the show, audience members crowded around the merch table to share their stories. It was one of those evenings that reminds me why we do what we do.

When I reflect on my life and the gift that music has given me, I’m grateful to my mother, whose discipline, encouragement, and belief in me nurtured this lifelong need to express myself through music.

I have just returned from Russia. Yes, I know it is controversial that I went there. But I went because I am an artist first. While I deeply resent what Russia is putting the Ukrainian people through, I also believe that music and art have the power to reach hearts where politics often cannot.

This issue is especially personal for me. My wife is Ukrainian, and her family came to America in the early 1900s. The suffering of the Ukrainian people is painful to witness. Yet what I experienced in Russia reminded me that ordinary people everywhere are capable of compassion, kindness, and connection. Music has a way of turning hearts from cold to warm.

We were fortunate to leave when we did, as drone attacks began disrupting air travel and airports were being shut down. It feels very good to be home.

And finally, Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there.

I’m blessed that my father is still with us at 94 years old. He taught me the value of hard work. He worked on oil wells, farmed with horses, served as a firefighter, and later as a police officer. He showed me that integrity, perseverance, and responsibility aren’t just words—they’re a way of life.

As I look ahead to Rochester Jazz Festival this coming Monday and Tuesday. We’ll be doing four shows and a master class. My heart is full of gratitude, for family, for freedom, for music, and for all of you who continue to share this journey with me.

With love and gratitude,

Allan