I started as a drummer, raised on rock n' roll, but trained in jazz and orchestra.
Drumming and music are what I have always done. A Jacksonville, Florida native, I took private lessons in rudiments and jazz from local legend Jimmy Glenn Sr, participated in a couple of years of school band under the direction of bassist Al Dodds, and at home wore out cassettes learning how to play the prog rock catalog. I was in a band before I owned a drum set, and played with and auditioned for anybody. At University of North Florida, I studied drum set with Rick Kirkland (Ray Charles) and Charlotte Mabrey (Principal Percussionist, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra). Eventually I managed a BA in Music and Liberal Arts from FSU, and returned to Jacksonville to start performing.
I played drums with many original projects through all this; writing, rehearsing, playing shows, and pursuing record deals. I also became a small studio owner, producing demos for dozens of local bands. I played rock and metal with a jazz approach alongside some of the craftiest and, beyond a doubt, loudest individuals in Duval County. Shaft was the most successful in terms of attracting national attention, but one member jumped ship to an established act, bringing about the demise of the group. These same events then transpired in yet another band (Sour Jane) I had joined with connections and national aspirations, and this lead me away from traditional bands, and to exploring electronic music, writing melodies and basslines, and how to incorporate it all live. Two Way Radio was the inspired result, combining trip-hop and rock elements, and this duo with Tony Prat worked with small indie label owner Frank Phobia in Reading PA (DRP Records). One self-produced record was circulated, gained light but significant recognition, and some steady gigging followed with a couple of short tours in the eastern Pennsylvania area. After the dissolution of the band, I pursued studio production more fervently, solidified my efforts as an independent studio engineer and eventually built a home studio where the drumming and recording never ceased.
Performing live and a jazz philosophy have always inspired me, so I figured I would make that my central job, as opposed to sitting behind the studio desk nightly. I began to play with the southern rock band Yankee Slickers and the band kept me busy for several years, earning a regular income by effectively mixing covers and originals. Eventually I settled in to a role as Jacksonville drummer-for-hire, covering every genre that is played in clubs - pop, funk, metal, hip-hop, bluegrass, country, RnB, funk, and... classic rock, of course. My calendar was solid for several years, averaging around 200 gigs a year playing in various cover bands. Since moving to the Denver metro area since 2017, I stepped back from this lifestyle, and focused on playing guitar and singing. After a few years of solo gigs playing covers, I have expanded into a duo featuring my wife Cynthia on bass. After years of playing drums in bands, I'm now able to craft my personal setlist, which is a mix of alternative, classic and progressive rock. I am also writing songs and setting into motion the framework for a solo album.
I teach drums and since 1997 that has been a significant part of my profession. I have taught hundreds of students, both young and old, from beginners to college scholarship applicants to seasoned players. I focus on the craft of drumming, from Moeller and Gladstone techniques to the improvisational nature of jazz and the compositional approach of rock. Passing on my knowledge and relaying my experiences as an instructor has been an essential cornerstone of my professional music career. Private lessons are still available for all levels: please contact me for a complete resume and references.
