Overview

It all started in high school marching band on those bus rides to field competitions. A boombox blaring Tower of Power in the back, more specifically Lenny Pickett's extended solo on "Knock Yourself Out", and I realized there was a level of virtuosity on the saxophone that was worth attaining. I chose the tenor saxophone because I loved the sound, but that solo was my first hint of the expression and intensity possible with the instrument.

I didn't have the resources back then that young musicians have now. No Internet, no iTunes, and like most kids growing up in suburbia, sustained exposure to jazz was far from commonplace. My fellow music nerds and I did manage to find Charlie Parker and John Coltrane at the public library, and we went out to festivals when we could. I feel very fortunate to have gotten the chance to study with jazz great Jackie McLean and to be a part of a music program where I learned so much from fellow students who were light years ahead of me.

Today, I am still passionate about jazz and the saxophone. I'm always trying to grow as a musician and love the chance to perform whenever I can. The art of improvisation, whatever the genre of music, is rewarding both as a challenge and as a creative process, and I'm always trying to find new ways to express ideas. And while music comes from within, the instrument must be mastered to connect to the audience, so that takes a lot of devotion and it sure is nice when it pays off.

---

If you're not on my mailing list, send me an e-mail to sign up. I'll notify you of my upcoming performances.