Born: August 10, 1970 Primary Instrument: Saxophone
A varied musical diet is all in a day’s work. I've played saxophone with Tito Puente, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Max Roach, the Four Tops, and the Temptations. I've also performed with the Jimmy & Tommy Dorsey Orchestras, on NPR’s Whaddya Know and with living jazz greats Rufus Reid, Conrad Herwig, Bob Mintzer, Tim Hagans, and Phil Woods.
And I've done hundreds (thousands?) of other gigs with loads of other good musicians and bands nobody has ever heard of.
Since moving from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania in 1999, I've garnered notice as a composer and arranger, too, winning two Fellowships in Jazz Composition from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA). For fifteen years I've had music published by the wonderful Walrus Music. But now you can purchase it all directly from me through this website.
I love to write music for ensembles of all flavors, sizes, and ability levels. Recent commissions include an original five-movement work for youth flute ensemble; works for high school big bands; and a Jackson 5 medley for the Penn State (marching) Blue Band.
I've also written commissioned works for the likes of jazz legend Yusef Lateef, Chris Vadala, Blue Note vocalist Jackie Allen, the Continental Trombone Quartet, the Capitol Quartet, and the University of Kentucky Wind Ensemble
Though mostly self-taught as a composer/arranger, I've apprenticed with master composers Toshiko Akiyoshi and Bob Mintzer, serving each as their personal music copyist. And I'm also grateful for the musical guidance I received at Northern Illinois University (M.M.), the University of Massachusetts-Amherst (B.A. Summa Cum Laude.), and Newark (DE) High School.
The teachers who have influenced me most are Lynn Klock, Jeff Holmes, Ron Rodell, Ron Carter, Glenn Kostur, Boysie Lowery, Yusef Lateef, Lloyd Ross, and Bill Byerly”my first sax teacher.
Lastly, I'm a rostered teaching artist with the PCA, through which I present school workshops, clinics and performances throughout the mostly-rural regions of Central PA. From 2000-2005 I taught in the School of Music at Penn State University.
I live in State College with my wife and our three daughters, with whom I spend most of my non-working hours. I also enjoy reading (current favorites are Steinbeck, Potok, and Seuss), attempting to complete the daily crossword puzzle (in pencil), and taking daily walks.
”The language is rich and daring, and sometimes quite abrasive to my ears”but it’s entirely stimulating!“ ”(Queen guitarist) Brian May
”The [VA All-State Jazz Band} loved playing Catch Me if You Can and ate it up!“ ”Miles Osland (UKY Prof. of Jazz Studies & Saxophone)
”The kids loved Catch Me if You Can!“ ”PMEA President & Hollidaysburg HS band director Scott Sheehan
“Cityscapes is fun, exciting, driving, jazzy, and groovy. It will be a part of our book for as long as we’re together.” ”NJ-based saxophonist Matthew Gramata
“Cityscapes is first rate in every way: it is musically worth the effort to play it well, it fits the instruments very well, and it has great audience appeal. I can hardly wait for your next quartet.” ”Lake Saxophone Quartet leader Bill Clarida
“Cityscapes was performed tonight in Royal Albert Hall and went down a storm!” ”London (UK)-based saxophonist Ben Drouet
“The kids love playing and performing At Last, and people can’t get enough of hearing it. The chart kicks butt.” ”Holicong MS band director Joel Choderoff
”We did Great Big Ball... on our Fall concert last night--it rocked the house!“ ”Chris Merz (U of Northern Iowa director of Jazz Studies)
“Imaginative, high quality music with interesting content for all players.“ ”Penn State Blue Band director Dr. Richard Bundy
“I enjoy the sense of joy and humor you bring to the music. It’s infectious.” ”Wallenpaupack HS band director Eric Warner
Primary Instrument:
Saxophone
Location:
State College, PA
Credentials/Background:
M.M. Individualized Curriculum, Northern Illinois University (1995)
studies with Ron Modell, Ron Carter, Steve Duke, Glenn Kostur, Bob Fleisher
B.A. Summa Cum Laude in Music, University of Massachusetts—
Amherst (1992)
studies with Lynn Klock, Yusef Lateef, Jeff Holmes
I participated in David Liebman's Chromatic Master Class.
Also spent some time with Boysie Lowery, Clifford Brown's
improvisation teacher!
And I've picked the brains of many other wonderful musicians,
including John Riley, Jim McNeeley, Bob Mintzer, and Dennis Mackrel,
to name a few. That's the good stuff!
Clinic/Workshop Information:
I have given over 150 workshops to jr. high, sr. high, and college students in
Midwest and Northeast.
Subjects include:
• BEGINNING IMPROVISATION (for all instruments)
emphasis on creating comfortable environment for the students
• INTERMEDIATE IMPROVISATION (for all instruments)
emphasis on fundamentals of musicianship
• ADVANCED IMPROVISATION (for all instruments)
emphasis on melodic shape, forms, free association
attention to nuts-and-bolts, too
• BIG BAND STYLE & ENSEMBLE TECHNIQUES
emphasis on listening to other members of ensemble, shaping phrases,
rhythmic integrity, dynamics, directed listening to source recordings
• JAZZ COMBO COACHING
emphasis on group interplay & listening, taking charge of the music.
attention on nuts-and-bolts, too
• COMPOSER'S BAG-O-TRICKS
focus on easy ways to create a solid tonal or modal melody
• ARRANGING & ORCHESTRATION
emphasis on studying source recordings and scores for answers.
nuts-and-bolts of instrument usage, form, etc
• PRACTICAL SKILLS FOR WORKING MUSICIAN
dual emphasis on artistic know-how and professional/business
skills.
****
Past schools include Ithaca College, University of Kentucky, Garden City
Community College, Neshaminy
HS (Philly), Bucknell University, Penn State University, State College High
School (PA) University of
Nebraska—Omaha
Tenor: 1935 Selmer Balanced Action/Radio Improved cusp; Meyer 6M; Rico Jazz Select 3soft, unfiled
Baritone: 1981 Yamaha 61; Berg Larsen hard rubber 95/2; Rico 3
