My friend Janet Cunningham passed away today from cancer. I'm saddened, but I'm also grateful to have known her over the last two decades. She touched so many lives.

She was originally from New Orleans, and though she lived and worked in Los Angeles, she made at least yearly trips to her hometown.

From 2000 to 2011, I also traveled to New Orleans about once a year. And if our trips overlapped, Janet was always so gracious in showing me the city she so loved -- introducing me to its culture, traditions, and history.

Janet loved music, and New Orleans is a city steeped in a rich tradition of music. You can't think of New Orleans without thinking about music.

Janet was about celebrating life and she taught me that music and life go hand in hand...and that we should all go forth into the world and celebrate the time we have here...

Eternal Peace, Janet