About Me
Started playing in Trenton NJ, Phila, AC, NY, with many great cats that I could glean from. I studied with my mentor DonPatterson-(Organ) From there I met and played with some wounderful cats! Charles Earland-(Organ), Pat Martino-(guitar), Jake Langley-(Guitar) Ritchie Cole-(Sax) I worked with Ritchie in Trenton NJ where we were from when he came home from touring with the Buddy Rich Band. Sonny Stitt-(Sax), Ron Cuber-(Bari Sax), Larry Graham-(Bass-From Sly and the family Stone), Stanley Clarke-(Bass), Michael Ray-(Trumpet-From Cool & The Gang), Clifford Adams-(Trombone-from Cool & The Gang), Earl Young-(Tramps), Instant Funk-(Number 1 in 1979- I GOT MY MIND MADE UP), Bunny Siegler-(vocalist), Lou Rawls-(Vocalist), George Benson-(Guitar), Blue Magic, (Band), Kim Miller-(guitar), Scotty Miller-(drums), Raymond Earl-(bass), Bob Smith, (guitar) Cedric Jenson-(Drums), and MANY others. On the Phila scene I did some stuff at Sigma Sound Studio with the TSOP (The sounds of Philadelphia-Earl Young) I Started on accordian, then the Cordovox. I listened to Jimmy Smith, Don Patterson, and I knew the Jazz Hammond organ was "IT" for me. I purchased a B3 and prcaticed hard to get the left hand bass down. Quite a differance from pushing buttons. I caught Sonny Stitt with Don Patterson in Trenton NJ one night in the 1960's and Don and I became friends. Watching Don was a trip. He found the time to show me how it was done. His hands and feet were amaging. The best thing Don did for me was to get me to FEEL the organ when I played. We hung out together and went to all the jazz joints in Phila, NY,NJ, AC, Camden NJ, and the after hours clubs when we weren't giggiing. Don introduced me to Pat Martino, his guitar player and invited me to sit in with them at some of Don's gigs. It truly was a learning experiance for me. What a Guitar player and humble person Pat is. Don new everyone and he made sure I met and talked with them all. Later in the 70's disco was in and I had to play that to survive. I also had to buy a new keyboard it seemed like every month when Stevie Wonder had a new hit. Times were changing. Jazz died down a bit, but started to make a come back in the late 80's. Don introduced me to Groove Holmes, Jimmy Smith, Jack Mc Duff, Jimmy McGriff, Charles Earland, and a guy from Camden NJ named Melvin Richards. Melvin worked for the US Post Office during the day and played B3 at night. Let me tell you this guy came out of no where and was ONE BAD Organ player. A very big guy with a heart of gold. He showed me some tricks about the organ I never knew about at my age. His attitude was VERY refreshing. He went out of his way to show you what he knew about the B3. He was working with a very young drummer and sax player. I was SHOCKED to see how such young musicians could keep up with some of the baddest guys in the business playing JAZZ. Everyone of them were true friends and only had GOOD things to say about each other. At first, I was a little nervous going to the "clubs" with Don, because I was under 21. I quickly found out I was excepted for the music and my style of playing. It was GREAT! One night in Trenton NJ at the Fantasy Lounge, Don was very "SICK" and we had to help him to the organ. I thought he might not be able to play. BOY WAS I WRONG! When he started to play, he blew the house down and NEVER missed a stroke! When Don played a ballad, he instinctively drew your attention and gave you goose bumps! I felt very hurt when he passed. I believe he deserved more credit for being one of the BEST Bee-Bop, and Ballad players of our time. Don seemed content to be a side man, rather then a leader. I miss him. I moved to Florida from NJ. It seems the Jazz clubs are few compaired to the North. I still get to play at the Performing Arts Centers with a vocalist (Gerg Diaz) Originally from the vocal group called (Mad Romance) I try to get to the Performing Arts Centers and support the PLAYERS that are in town. We MUST keep the memories of the players of that era alive!
