Pianist Michel Camilo doesn't just play jazz, he lives it. He takes his musical style and passion and incorporates it into his daily life. He even likes to travel.

"I enjoy it; that is why I do it. The last 20 years or so I have managed to have friends all over the world," Camilo said during a phone call from New York.

Camilo is in the late stages of a two-year world tour supporting his latest album, "Spirit of the Moment." That title captures perfectly his attitude of the road and his music, which will be on display when he brings his trio to the Jazz at the Sheraton concert series Monday.

"We change it (the music) up. Even the material that we recorded together has changed and developed. That's what we hoped for. It's always fresh and going new places. That is part of the fun of being of being a jazz musician."

But he isn't "just" a jazz musician. He won a Grammy for his adventurous tribute orchestral album,"Rhapsody in Blue," in 2006. That was a follow to 2004's descriptively titled "Solo." But that led him back to his his roots in a trio jazz set.

Camilo is close to the two Cuban-born musicians who make up his trio, drummer Dafnis Prieto and bassist Charles Flores.

"We practically live together. We travel all over the world, in airports and waiting for trains. We have to get along, and a big part of that shows on stage. I am very happy with the two of them. We go many places personally and musically."

Prieto is a coveted sideman in New York, known for his work with Camilo as well as with his own group.

Flores has been playing with Camilo for more than seven years, a long time in jazz circles, which the pianist believes adds a lot to the music.

"He is like my alter ego; we understand each other perfectly," Camilo said.

The tour continues through 2008 and jumps from Salt Lake City, Boston, Pittsburgh, then to an early November date at Carnegie Hall in New York, then Switzerland, Denmark and Spain to close the year before starting up again through May 2009.

"It is not like going to work," Camilo said of the touring. "You are going to visit your friends," which includes Utah's series organizer Gordon Hanks. "That makes all the difference in the world. I tell that to my students. 'Make sure you have friends; that way you don't need to watch four walls in a bedroom.' You share your life stories with your friends."

If you go ...

What: Michel Camillo trio
Where: Sheraton City Centre, 150 W. 500 South
When: Monday, 7:30 p.m.
How much: $25
Phone: 278-0235
Web: www.24tix.com

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E-mail: LC@desnews.com