After 11 Years on ‘The Late Show,’ Jon Lampley Announces ‘Notes To Self’ (6/26)

JON LAMPLEY
ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM
NOTES TO SELF
— A CAREER-DEFINING MOVE BEYOND THE LATE SHOW —
OUT FRIDAY, JUNE 26

LEAD SINGLE
“GREENER”
OUT FRIDAY, MARCH 13

FEATURES SURPRISE CAMEO FROM STEPHEN COLBERT

NASHVILLE, TN (February 11, 2026) — 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 June 26. The new album 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. 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?

PRE-SAVE / PRE-ADD NOTES TO SELF HERE. 

The album’s lead single, “Greener,” arrives Friday, March 13, and 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, the song is both a personal statement and a universal anthem. “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. 

PRE-SAVE / PRE-ADD “GREENER” HERE.

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.

Beyond late-night television, Lampley has built a reputation as one of the most versatile and in-demand brass players of his generation. He co-founded the high-energy jazz-funk ensemble Huntertones and has performed in amphitheaters, arenas, and festivals with jam-rock mainstays O.A.R. and pop-soul powerhouse Lake Street Dive. Yet despite years as a seasoned collaborator and sideman, Lampley now feels a clear shift in purpose. “The biggest difference is a willingness to step to the front as an artist, creator, and performer,” he explains.

That instinct to lead traces back to Lampley’s roots in Akron, Ohio, where he first found his musical voice immersed in church. He continued honing his craft in Columbus at The Ohio State University before relocating to Brooklyn, where his artistic vision began to crystallize. Those influences ultimately came to life on Night Service: Live at LunÀtico, which introduced him as not only a dynamic trumpet player and bandleader, but a confident frontman and songwriter.

NOTES TO SELF TRACKLISTING
“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” 

Above: ‘Notes To Self’ Album Artwork; Credit: Kenzie Crawford

Notes To Self builds directly on that foundation. Written largely from a first-person perspective, the album 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.

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