Article Contributed by Milestone Publicity
Published on 2026-03-13
Artwork Credit: Kenzie Crawford
What does life look like after 11 years on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert? For Jon Lampley, the answer comes in the form of Notes To Self, his sophomore solo album, out Friday, June 26.
Already recognized by NPR, which praised his solo debut Night Service: Live at LunÀtico (2024) as “so joyful,” and recently featured in The New York Times for his preparation and artistry on The Late Show, Lampley brings both credibility and a compelling narrative question to this new project: What comes next when the stage you’ve stood on nightly for years is no longer the center of your life?
Today, Lampley delivers the album’s lead single, “Greener,” which features a surprise cameo from Stephen Colbert. A reflection on ambition, growth, and community, the track finds Lampley examining the tension between personal progress and celebrating the success of those around him.
“Greener mirrors my own ambitions,” says Lampley. “I love seeing my community succeed, but sometimes it makes me question my own progress instead of appreciating the journey.”
Blending infectious grooves, soaring trumpet lines, and intimate, reflective lyrics, “Greener” is both a personal statement and a universal anthem.
STREAM “GREENER” HERE.
PRE-SAVE / PRE-ADD NOTES TO SELF HERE.
“Greener” was written by Lampley and Clyde Lawrence, produced by Lampley with The Diner (Clyde Lawrence, Jordan Cohen, Jonny Koh) and Michael Thurber, engineered by Daniel Sanint, Bailey Kislak, Lampley, and Jonny Koh, mixed by Jack Deboe at The Office, and mastered by Dave Darlington at Bass Hit Studio. Recording took place at The Lighthouse, Studio 1, Bistro 586, and Flux Studios.
The song arrives alongside a cinematic music video that brings its themes vividly to life. Using split-screen imagery and shifting palettes of color and sepia tones, the visual contrasts moments of confidence and doubt as Lampley portrays dual versions of himself.
The video mirrors the song’s emotional core, capturing the push and pull between ambition, gratitude, and self-reflection. The video was produced and written by Jon Lampley and Warren Tyler Ward, directed, filmed, and edited by Warren Tyler Ward, with filming assistance by Miguel Cevallos.
Lampley has made his name as a consummate player on trumpet and sousaphone, as well as a powerhouse singer-songwriter, composer, and bandleader whose career bridges modern jazz, soul, gospel, and contemporary roots music.
On The Late Show, he performed nightly under bandleader Louis Cato and previously under Jon Batiste, honing his musicianship and stage presence before a global audience.
“Everything about who I am as an artist — musicianship, stage presence, awareness, timing, ideas — has grown immensely because of the experience,” he reflects.
Notes To Self marks Lampley’s full arrival as a frontman, pairing introspective songwriting with the virtuosity, joy, and communal energy that define his career.
Produced by Lampley, The Diner (Jordan Cohen, Clyde Lawrence, Jonny Koh), and Michael Thurber, the album showcases his extraordinary musical vision: a rare combination of technical mastery, boundless creativity, and soulful expression.
Written largely from a first-person perspective, Notes To Self functions as a series of reflections on ambition, optimism, relationships, faith, and growth.
Lampley identifies tracks that resonate deeply with him personally: “‘Greener,’ ‘JOY,’ and ‘Maybe’ resonate with me most. ‘JOY’ feels like a personal mantra, guiding me to approach each day with optimism and gratitude. ‘Maybe’ is the most vulnerable, exploring a shift in faith from one rooted in morality and guilt to one grounded in grace, curiosity, and vulnerability.”
Arriving on the heels of The Late Show’s conclusion, the album feels less like a pivot than a culmination.
“The timing is certainly serendipitous,” Lampley says. “I believe in everything happening when, and as, it’s supposed to.”
Ultimately, the album serves as a clear statement of intent: “I’m ready to be at the front of something, not just considered a side project, and to make songs about the human experience that allow us all to feel a little more in community with each other,” he concludes.
“Unnecessarily Soulful Intro”
“On Your Mind”
“Greener”
“Believe In Me”
“Unnecessary Soulful Interlude”
“JOY” ft. Cory Wong
“Try It Again”
“Maybe”
“Dock Of The Bay” ft. Lawrence and Louis Cato
“Unnecessarily Soulful Outro”
Notes To Self is a deeply personal statement from a musician stepping fully into the spotlight after more than a decade as a core member of the show’s house band.
