Wow… just wow.

I’m still floating high from the incredible experience of performing at this year’s NCPA Soulful Blues Festival in Mumbai, India. Being on stage with the legendary Alvon Johnson as part of his powerhouse band was already an honor, but sharing our sound with an engaged, soulful, and beautifully spirited audience in one of the world’s most culturally rich cities was nothing short of magical.

From the moment I arrived, I was struck by Mumbai’s warmth, both in its weather and its people. The hospitality, the vibrant energy, and the genuine kindness extended at every turn made me feel not just welcomed, but celebrated.

And then… the music.

There’s something incredibly humbling about watching the universal language of music unfold before your eyes—people moving, clapping, and connecting with your horn thousands of miles from home. The NCPA Tata Theatre provided the perfect setting for that connection to blossom—intimate, electric, and full of soul.

To top it all off, I’m incredibly grateful to have been featured in Rolling Stone India in a brilliant piece by jazz critic Sunil Sampat, whose words captured the essence of the night so vividly. Sunil, thank you for recognizing the magic we all felt on stage. If you haven’t read the review yet, you can check it out here.

This trip reminded me why I play: to connect, to uplift, and to be part of something bigger than notes and melodies.

India, you have my heart—and I hope to return soon.
With gratitude and groove,
🎷
Stabe Wilson