About
Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, my week-ends consisted of spending every penny of allowance on records or going to legendary concerts such as Chick Corea at the Boarding House, Frank Zappa, Santana and Weather Report at the Berkley Community Theater, King Crimson at Winterland, and George Duke and Bill Cobham at The Great American Music Hall. After picking up the clarinet at the age of eight, I was hooked and have never strayed from a lifelong passion for music.
I spent the first two years after high school studying music theory and jazz improv at Chabot College before heading out on my first road gig with band of friends, Uncle West. I've always loved the live music scene and have played in over 37 countries rocking venues such as The London Palladium, The Corn Palace and Coney Island with Engelbert Humperdinck, The Houston Astrodome and Cinderella's Castle at Disney World with Tiffany, The Bridgestone Arena with Kelly Clarkson, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, Kix Brooks, Deborah Allen, Ronnie Dunn, Kacey Musgraves and Chip Etsen, The Blues to Bebop Festival in Lugano, Switzerland with The Kelley Hunt Band and Bobby Watson, Carnegie Hall, The Westbury Music Fair and the Cruise of Irish Stars with The Andy Cooney Band, The 2005 Presidential Inauguration with the Tyrone Smith Band, The Ryman with Mike Farris, and Bootlegger's and Second Fiddle on Broadway in Nashville (my current home) with Elio and the Hank Sinatra Band.
While living in Los Angeles I landed a gig as writer and band member of the long-running television show, Comic Strip Live, featuring some of the finest session musicians in town, including Paul Mirkovich, Denny Fongheiser, Eric Pressly, Bob Wackerman and Eric Daniels. I also spent time in the studio collaborating with artists such as Doobie Brother's drummer, Chet McCracken, and guitar master, Chuck Yamek.
I've also performed with Jose Feliciano, Brenda Lee, Delbert McClinton, B.J. Thomas, Tower of Power Rhythm Section, Lester Chambers, Marisela, Mary Wells, Larry Gatlin, Crystal Gayle, The Waylon Jennings Band featuring Bonnie Bramlett, Little Anthony and the Miracles, Bernard Purdie, Clarence Dobbins, Lee Oscar, Denny Jiosa, Diane Marino and Salsa artist, Nino Segaro.
About ten years ago I became saturated in the traditional music of my Irish heritage and have had the fortunate opportunity to work with Irish artists Andy Cooney, Phil Coulter, Ronan Tynan, John Whelan, Joanie Madden and Martin Fay (of the Chieftains). In 2011, I had the great privilege of playing in Ireland with Tom Comerford at Raglan Road Traditional Irish Pub in Tramore, County Waterford and Kate Purcell at Dromoland Castle in County Clare.
My biggest pleasure has come from working with a community of artists that have inspired, encouraged, challenged and influenced me in countless ways. To all of you (and you know who you are) I am eternally grateful!
