Biography

With nearly a lifetime of experience in the arts, including music, dance, photography, and poetry I bring the benefits of experience and diversity. I have formally studied the western orchestral tradition with professional philharmonic players as well as other styles of music with private mentors. I have taken master classes and/or studied with Zakir Hussain, Vishnu Wood, Tyrone Brown, Christian McBride, Ken Filliano, and The Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg.

Since 1995 I have performed as a sideman for people like Billy Bang, Joe Ford, Jason Hwang, Jon Nelson, the late great Al Tinney, William Parker, Sam Falzone, Wendell Rivera, Bobby Previte, the late great Anibal Hernandez and many others. I have been a section bass player in orchestras, played in chamber ensembles and have also held a principal bass seat. In 2001 I co-created a community-oriented spoken word and live music event called Jazzopetry that ran on a monthly basis for about 3 years. I have also held weekly residencies at a number of venues, in some cases for more than a year. Furthermore, I have played in theatrical productions, operas, weddings, festivals, parties and conventions.

I have dedicated parts of my time to teaching music to people of all ages and have taught privately, in music stores, and in not-for-profit programs. I am also continually working on new ways to serve my community and to help promote and further the legacy of classic American Jazz in its various forms.