Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
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Discography
"Soy Califa" on the DBK jazz label and "The Funky Side Of Jazz"
Photos
Bio
Born in Los Angeles California, I studied music at Gompers Jr High School under the direction of teachers Frank Harris, Donald Dustin, and Duke Pearson. It was the best program in the city. My classmates included Gerald Albright -Sax, Ray Brown - trumpet (Earth Wind, and Fire), Kenny Pickens -trombone (Brothers Johnson). Patrice Rushen was my flute section leader in Locke High School's summer camp. Leon "Ndugu" Chancellor was a drummer from Locke High School.
"Stationed in Frankfurt, Germany with the US Army band I first started performing live jazz at the age of 19 with the band "Jazz Express", featuring Jan Meyers-bass , Joe Letmany-piano, Dan Fullerton-drums. Clubs include, Down By The Riverside (our regular gig), other clubs included, Sinkasten, Jazz Kniepe, Birdland, Jazz Keller,and others". I've played in Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, England, Hungary, France, Italy
South Korea and Japan, the US Virgin Islands, Hawaii, and most of the United States.
Other gigs have included musicians and friends, Marion Meadows, Mike Pedicin Jr, early eighties band OTB featuring Kenny Garrett and Mike Mossman, Hank Mobley, Danny Turner, (mentor) Norwood Pony Poindexter, Houston Pearson, Odean Pope, Byard Lancaster - sax, Steve Nelson, Khan Jamal, Randy Sutin - vibes, Arthur Harper, Gerald Veasley-bass, Edgar Bateman Jr, Bobby Durham, Mickey Roker, Butch Ballard, Philly Joe Jones, Dave Gibson, Allan Nelson, Curtis Harmon (Pieces of a Dream), Byron Landham, Sunny Murray, Lex Humpreys, Doc Gibbs - drums, Freddie Hendrix, John Swana, Maurice Brown, Shawn Jones, Duane Eubanks-trumpets, Ray Anderson – trombone, Lonnie Liston Smith, Don Paterson, Johnny Coles Orchestra, featuring Bootsie Barnes, John Swana, w/ guest artist Clifford Jordan , Danny Turner and Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts, Aaron Graves, Sid Simmons, Uri Caine, James Lloyd-Piano, Rohn Lawrence-guitar, and Jay Stolman vocal stylist/writing partner. "Backing jazz greats Dakota Stanton and Gloria Lynn was a memorable experience".
My early bands featured many players. My band in the late 80's with Charles Fambro/bass, Uri Caine/piano. George Johnson/drums was a learning and growing experience I won't forget. George and Broski had worked with McCoy Tyner a few
years earlier. Broski afterwards went with Art Blakey and the "Jazz Messengers". Handling their inflated ego's was a challenge. (smile )
Instructor for the Jazz Apprenticeship Program in Manhatten, NY City for the last 4 years under the direction of head instructor pianist Sarina Bachlietner. Alumni have included Cecil McBee, Steve Kirby, Steve Vescrone – bass, Rodney Jones - guitar, Bruce Cox, & Richie Derosa-drums, Hugh Frazier- trombone, Patience Higgens, & John Stubblefield– woodwinds.
Bassist/Bandleader Jamal Adeen Tacuma, the amazing young percussionist Justin Falkner ,and Yoichi on piano is one fun rhythm section to work with.
Long time associate and homeboy drummer/bandleader Tony Day and his Quartet featuring either Dan Kostelnic/ Rich Budesa - organ, with Teddy Royal / Gerald (Twig) Smith – guitar is another favorite.
Studied orchestraton and arranging with Dr. Don Simpson at Los Angeles City College and graduated of the Armed Forces "Enlisted Bandleader Course". "The infamous F2 was 5 months of the most intense training the military had to offer. Only 4 people out of my class of 24 graduated. It wasn't a place to learn. You had to know the material before you got there."
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