Professional drummer/percussionist/teacher with over 25 years experience.
My Musical Background
I am a Seattle native who started drumming with garage/basement bands and eventually Ingraham and Ballard HS drum lines and stage bands. My first teacher was Hal Thurmond at Kennely Keys on Greenwood & 85th and I thank him for providing a solid foundation based on rudiments and reading. Life led me to Ohio where I marched with the State Champion Whitehall HS band in Ohio Stadium, performed Herbie Hancock's "Rockit", received a superior rating for solo snare drum performance (Stick Trickery by Nick Ceroli) and studied with Jim Rupp (Woody Herman-Maynard Feguson-Diane Schuur). Jim Rupp provided the tools and encouragement to pursue a professional career, which led me to the University Of North Texas Music School, North Texas State at that time.
A University of North Texas Alum music major, I'm proud to be a part of one of their many championship drum lines (1987-88), including their drumline video, The "Skunks" electric jazz ensemble, large choir and jazz improv groups. I studied with some of the best while at North Texas: Pat Petrillo & Ralph Hardimon (drum line), Henry Okstel (drum set), drumset master classes with: Ed Soph (Clark Terry), Alex Acuna (Weather Report), Vinnie Colaiuta (Frank Zappa-Sting), Peter Erskine (Weather Report-Steps Ahead), Sonny Emory (Earth Wind And Fire).
During this time I also attended the P.A.S. (Percussive Arts Society) conventions in St Louis and San Antonio and enjoyed being a part of the marching band in the 1991 film "Necessary Roughness," starring Scott Bakula, Hector Elizondo, Robert Loggia, Larry Miller, Sinbad and Jason Bateman with Chris Berman, Jerry Rice, Dick Butkus, Earl Campbell, Tony Dorsett and Ed 'Too Tall' Jones among others.
After college, my musical path led to extensive Dallas/Ft. Worth professional musical theatre and stage experience, including performances at the Will Rogers Auditorium, Reunion Arena, The Music Hall At Fair Park and the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, designed by I. M. Pei. Live shows with Cowboys and Indians (Bob Wills Western Swing), private and public engagements with The Joe Alan piano jazz trio performing the Great American Songbook and with Ruta Lee and Jim Nabors, studio recordings at Crystal Clear Sound, Goodnight Dallas, Inside Trac and Audio Dallas,
Upon returning to Seattle in 2005, live performances in the Northwest with the Pop Logic, Riffbrokers, Jonathan Harris and the live radio broadcast on KEXP’s Sonarchy Radio (click on Sonarchy Radio for broadcast) with Zen Tornado. Currently I'm enjoying performing with the Acid Wash Brass Band, which recently entertained large crowds during all 3 days of the 2017 Oregon Country Festival.
"...this Seattle-based micro marching band plays like a jazz combo on wheels.....they serve a tall glass of New Orleans second line with a shot of hip hop and pop music on the side." openspacevashon.com August 2017
In addition to freelancing, I teach private lessons (at my place or at your home), have provided studio drum tech work for London Bridge in Shoreline, Soundhouse Studio in Ballard, Orbit Audio in Pioneer Square & Fastback Studios in Shoreline. I was honored to be a part of Drum Tech Day at Ed Hartman's Drum Exchange, Seattle with Greg Keplinger (Elvin Jones, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam) and Aaron Mlasko (Presidents Of The USA, Tori Amos, Yes).
Post-college study with Royal Hartigan (Wesleyan Univ. Connecticut), Gary Chaffee & Steve Houghton (Univ. of San Antonio workshop), Bill Stewart (John Scofield-Pat Metheny), Jeff 'tain' Watts (Wynton & Branford Marsalis-Tonight Show Band), Jeff Hamilton (Ray Brown-Diane Krall), Stanton Moore (Galactic-Stanton Moore Trio) and Matt Chamberlain (Edie Brickell, SNL, Critters Bugging'-Jacob Dylan, Tori Amos-LA studios). Hand drums with Bill Matthews-Djembe, Simone LaDrumma-Congas & Djembe, & Geoff Johns-Djembe.
Performance & recording has taken me to Vancouver B.C, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Ohio, Virginia, Missouri, Texas and Washington.
Since moving to Tacoma in late 2020 I’ve enjoyed having a dedicated private music space that I can practice, play and record in at my leisure. I’m looking forward to exploring the local music scene as venues begin to open up post Covid and continue teaching.
"There is nothing better than music as a means for the upliftment of the soul" -Inayat Khan