
Bio
Photo Credit: Tom Farr Photography
Buffalo, New York is where the story all began for me. Though I didn’t begin playing music until I was 19 years old, and started at Villa Maria College of Music, music has been the driving force in my life since childhood. From the beginning of my life my parents, grandparents, family, and friends were always exposing me to music; new, old, and all over the spectrum of genres. This is how I built the foundation of my musical influence and passion for the art.
When I first picked up the bass guitar and started to learn music, I turned to my biggest musical love, The Beatles, for influence. Since my years and musical experiences have progressed, my playing and sound has morphed to a mix of all my favorite genres, fusion, rock, and funk.
The album that changed it all for me was Jeff Beck’s “Wired”. I was driving home from music school, put it on, and from the first note I was hooked. As the album progressed I just kept getting swept up and blown away by every song. The simplicity yet complexity, technical prowess, and down right groovin’ that album has is nothing short of legendary to me. That’s when I found myself in music, that’s when I knew how I wanted to play and write.
Other bands and artists that are some of my biggest influences and favorites are, Frank Zappa, Yes, Steely Dan, Medeski Martin & Wood, and the Grateful Dead, but the list could go on forever. If I had to make a top influential bassist list I guess I would say Jaco Pastorius, Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, Paul McCartney, Paul Turner, Phil Lesh, and Victor Wooten would be on there. But like my favorite bands, this list could go on forever, and for so many reasons.
Outside of performing, other musical expressions for me are live and studio sound engineering, producing, and songwriting/arranging. To me there is so much to learn about music, it really never ends. In my opinion, that’s one of the best parts. It allows so many ways to find one's beat and mode of expression. Never stop learning, never stopping creating. Music is in everything, you just have to figure out how to channel and convey it; that’s the fun!
I now resides in the beautiful, colorfully cultured mountain town of Asheville, NC. While not on the road, or gigging I enjoy spending time in the studio, nature, working out, finding quiet zen moments, cooking/eating well, and gathering around a fire with friends.
I currently perform with Andrew Scotchie & the River Rats, Kevin Daniel & the Bottom Line, and the Space Cowboys & the Cosmic Girls (a tribute to Jamiroquai). I'm also the talent buyer at Silverados in Black Mountain, NC and from time to time can be found behind the sound board at some of Asheville's best music venues.
A very special thanks and love goes out to Jim Kurzdorfer (former bassist of fusion group Spyro Gyra) for being my music guru. Rest in Peace & Power, music will carry you on infinitely. And to all others who have shown me support and appreciation throughout the years, I am forever grateful, thank you all so much!