Quick reminder to all my North Carolina friends: there’s an event coming up this weekend you won’t want to miss. On Friday 9/3 (3-5pm) and on Saturday 9/4 (10am-noon), to celebrate the return of the John Coltrane International Jazz & Blues Festival, there will be a rare opportunity to visit and tour the Blair-Coltrane House in High Point. This is the childhood home of legendary jazz musician, John Coltrane, and the place where the seeds of the most innovative music in American history were planted.

I’ll be there on Saturday morning to sign copies of my new young adult novel, On the Way to Birdland, which also has roots in High Point and pays grand tribute to my hometown hero.I hope you’ll have a chance to attend.

Don’t forget, there’s also an exciting Coltrane exhibit opening at the High Point Museum this weekend as well. I can’t wait!