I was born in 1978 in Kranj, Slovenia. By the age of thirteen I joined the City’s Marching & Concert Brass Orchestra, where I first played the trumpet, then drums, and I started playing with my first band; Gustav Jazz Band. While I was in High School (majoring in Economics), I regularly took private lessons from the best drummers and percussionists in Slovenia and started to get familiar with the Slovenian music scene. As soon as I got my drivers licence, I started driving to the capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana, where most of the country’s artists live and work.
Soon I started playing in concert halls, clubs and venues all around Slovenia. My career as a musician has begun. I have played with major jazz musicians, as well as musicians of other genres–pop, folk, rock, etc.
After High School, I moved to Linz, Austria, where I was accepted to the Bruckner Konservatorium, to study music and drums. There I had the opportunity to study with Doug Hammond, Allan Praskin, Jeff Beaudreaux, Harry Sokal, Peter Tuscher. In June 2002, I received a Bachelor degree in jazz performance with honor.
The first time I came to New York (in 2000), I noticed right away that this is the place to be for a jazz musician. At the City College I have studied with great musicians/professors, such as John Patitucci, Victor Lewis, Billy Drummond, Andy Watson, Scott Reves, Fred Hersch. On June 3rd 2005, I received the Master of Arts degree from City College.
I have been performing regularly while I was attending school, and even more after I graduated. During my years in New York City I have performed with musicians and artists such as: Jazz–Reggie Workman, Sheila Jordan, Boris Kozlov, Grant Stewart, Peter Mihelich, Jonathan Kreisberg, William Ash, Sam Barsh, Matt Brewer, John Chin, Miles Griffith, Marco Panascia, Alex Harding, Walt Szymanski, Yosvany Terry, Tom Rhodes, Jimmy “Preacher†Robins, John Oszajca, Rick Royale, Doug Siegel, Liz Clark, Yoke, Whisky Rebellion
