For the past four years I've been freelancing in Los Angeles with a variety of bands in different styles -- Rock/Pop, R&B, blues and jazz. I'm able to cross these genres, and I love playing them all. I'm currently doing live gigs in the LA/Hollywood clubs, and also spending time producing, engineering and performing on some recording projects. For the past year I had the tremendous opportunity to study jazz performance with the legendary Kenny Burrell.

Before moving to LA, I was in Santa Barbara, entrenched in the jazz scene there. There was a really thriving scene in Santa Barbara, with some fantastic players. Some of my most memorable artistic experiences were there, but I was gradually spending more and more time in the big city of LA, so we "loaded up the truck and moved to ...."

Before doing the Santa Barbara jazz clubs, I was there going to school. That involved four years of big band and smaller jazz groups, as well as some orchestral music for stage/theater. At school I had the opportunity to get some training from (and in some cases perform with) some amazing guest instructors such as Charlie Haden, Billy Higgins, Pete Christlieb and Red Rodney. I learned a lot during that period.

Shall I go back even further? I studied drumming initially under a great teacher and player named Robert Hammaker. Robert had a strong jazz and R&B influence -- a very dynamic and soulful player, so I picked up those styles very early. Robert also taught a very disciplined approach to drumming, for which I (now, not then) have a great appreciation. When I first got into Rock bands at an early age, I was fortunate enough to get hooked up with guys that were older and sort of had their shit together, so we actually got out of the garage and onto live stages and into the studio. I wasn't old enough to drive, so they'd have to pick me and my gear up in the van and drive me to the gig.

In addition to playing Rock gigs, I continued to study jazz, both with private study and in the school jazz program. I also played percussion for the school orchestra and played in the pit for some local theater gigs.

Now, I combine all these experiences to create the best music I can, no matter what style. I'll do an evening of jazz one night, and rock the house at a packed Hollywood club the next night.

That's my story.