I'm an Iowan-turned-Arizonan-turned-Oregonian who, true to my Meyers-Briggs type of ESTP, likes to have as many things on my plate as possible and make a lot of noise while doing them.
I play the trumpet, generally in the jazz idiom, but I have and will freelance in just about any genre that utilizes aforementioned instrument, and even a few genres where trumpet is an unwelcome interloper. In my 6 years in Portland I have played with the following on every level from one-off ringer to studio sideman to full-time member: Rubberneck, Jesus Presley, Kathy Walker Band, Chris Robley & The Fear Of Heights, The Sort Ofs, The Krebsic Orkestar, Sweetjuice, Rachel Taylor Brown, Sandin Wilson, Metro, Porterhouse, The Decemberists, The Midnight Serenaders, Bureau of Standards Big Band, Ben Macy Trio, Triclops, Jujuba, Gloria Deluxe, and probably a bunch of others I can't remember in my old age. I teach privately on the subjects of jazz improvisation, trumpet performance and composition when I can afford the time, and on the 25th hour of the 8th day of each week I volunteer in the Cattery at the Oregon Humane Society.
I am currently involved in a handful of projects - I'm the musical director for the Bureau of Standards Big Band , and trumpeteer with the Ben Macy Trio , the Krebsic Orkestar Gypsy Brass Band , and cabaret act Deanna & The Downbeats .
In my previous life, I managed to convince Northern Arizona University to hand over a Bachelor's degree in trumpet performance and a Master's degree in instrumental conducting. They were then crazy enough to give me a job as an adjunct professor, teaching jazz history, American music, world music, and music theory in the classroom and via cable TV. I also directed a few jazz groups and directed the Sedona Jazz On The Rocks Youth Band. I foisted my snobbery on thousands of unsuspecting students for 7 years before moving to Oregon and entering the world of corporate training, my current choice of day job.
Check out this YouTube video of me with the big band I direct, the Bureau of Standards Big Band. This was filmed in September 2007 as part of an episode for the TV show "PDXposed."
For more videos and info, the band is listed as one of my Top Friends below, check it out and become our Friend too!
