Tell us a little bit about your new DVD No Reservations.

The DVD features over 2 hours of music, 12 original songs including some of my favorites from previous CD’s,"Promise You", "...and Dreaming", “While The World Slowly Turns”, “Son Y Lola” and “Along The Way” plus a version of the Stevie Wonder song "Cause We've Ended As Lover's". The band was really “on” the night we taped and features some of the best players in the business: Tal Bergman: drums (Joe Zawinul, Billy Idol), Ron Powell: percussion (Kenny G, Madonna, Sergio Mendes), Dennis Hamm: piano & keys (John Densmore, Greg Howe) and Rufus Philpot: bass (Al Di Meola, Planet X).

What elements in your songs make them especially satisfying for you to perform ?

That’s an interesting question as the DVD contains songs spanning
most of my career. I love melody and rhythmn but I also
like the songs that allow myself and the band to stretch out. That freedom keeps the music fresh for us all and the songs are different from night to night. What might be a 5 or 6 minute album track is 15 minutes long in performance. It’s interesting to see what songs have remained in the repitoire over the years. Nasca Lines, ... And Dreaming, For You and While the World Slowly Turns are concert staples, while I rotate other songs in and out of the set list.

Of your touring and gigs so far in your career, do any stand out as being particularly memorable or defining moments?

I remember playing at Sculler’s jazz club in Boston shortly after my first album Between Dusk and Dreaming was released. We got about
two bars into my song Promise You from that album and the audience
erupted into applause. I looked at the other band members and it was like wow ! they actually know this song, cool !

You play a number of exotic stringed instruments besides guitar, especially in your work with Loreena McKennitt. Have you added any new instruments to your collection since we last spoke ?

I play the Oud (a Middle Eastern 11 string, fretless lute like instrument) and the Celtic Bouzouki (an 8 string variation of the Greek Bouzouki) with Loreena. My wife Pamela and I were recently in Puerto Rico and I picked up a beautiful old handmade “Cuatro” which has 10 strings and is a lovely instrument with a beautiful sound. I will definitely be playing the “Cuatro” on a few songs on my next studio album.

What would your top “desert island” classic albums be, regardless of genre… the albums you turn to time after time for your own personal enjoyment and inspiration?

Kenny Burrell: Midnight Blue, Night at Vanguard
Grant Green: Idle Moments
Wes Montgomery: Full House
Bob Dylan: Modern Times
Mario Rui Silva: Chants D’angola
Ceu: Ceu, Vagarosa
Anouar Brahem: Barzakh
The Band: Music From Big Pink
Bebel Gilberto: Tanto Tempo
Bossacucanova: Uma Batida Diferente
Charlie Haden & Pat Metheny: Beyond the Missouri Sky
Cheb Mami: Dellali
Rokia Traore: Tchamantche
Tord Gustavsen: Changing Places

What is your take on where Smooth Jazz as a format is today in its evolution, and in what direction would you like to see it move from this point forward?

Hmmm... play more Brian Hughes !!! Just kidding... I think I would like to see the format get a little more adventurous.