Article Contributed by Milestone Publicity
Published on 2026-05-08
Artwork Credit: Kenzie Crawford
What does life look like after 11 years on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert? For Jon Lampley, the answer arrives in the form of Notes To Self, his sophomore solo album due Friday, June 26.
Today, Lampley unveils the album’s second single, “Dock of the Bay”, a fresh interpretation of Otis Redding’s iconic 1968 soul classic originally co-written with Steve Cropper. Featuring Lawrence and Louis Cato, the track is reimagined with a rich, soul-inflected arrangement developed by Lampley, Cato, and Clyde Lawrence.
Already recognized by NPR, which praised his solo debut Night Service: Live at LunÀtico (2024) as “so joyful,” and featured in The New York Times for his preparation and artistry on The Late Show, Lampley — the consummate player on trumpet and sousaphone, as well as a powerhouse singer-songwriter, composer, and bandleader — 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?
PRE-SAVE / PRE-ADD NOTES TO SELF HERE
“Dock of the Bay” is produced by Lampley, The Diner (Clyde Lawrence, Jordan Cohen, Jonny Koh), and Cato, with mixing by Jack Deboe at The Office and mastering by Dave Darlington at Bass Hit Studio. Recording took place at The Lighthouse and Bistro 586 in Brooklyn, New York.
Released in honor of his father’s birthday, Lampley explains, “Dock of the Bay was my dad’s favorite song. Over time, I’ve grown to love it just as much, and my version is both a tribute to him and to Otis Redding and the legacy of soul music he helped shape. Recording this rendition alongside Clyde and Gracie Lawrence, as well as Late Show bandleader Louis Cato, was truly a dream come true. While it’s always an honor to collaborate with artists I deeply admire, the greatest joy is being able to call them close friends.”
On March 13, Lampley released the infectious lead single “Greener”, featuring a surprise cameo from Stephen Colbert. Written by Lampley and Clyde Lawrence and co-produced with The Diner and Michael Thurber, the track explores ambition, growth, and the balance between personal progress and celebrating others.
The song arrived alongside a cinematic music video that brings these themes to life through split-screen visuals and shifting color palettes. Lampley portrays dual versions of himself, capturing the tension between confidence and doubt, ambition and gratitude. The video was written and produced by Lampley and Warren Tyler Ward, who also directed, filmed, and edited it, with additional filming by Miguel Cevallos.
WATCH THE “GREENER” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO BELOW
Lampley 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. 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 shares.
Notes To Self arrives as 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.
TRACKLISTING FOR NOTES TO SELF
“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”
