Trombonist, composer/arranger, big bands, small bands, jazz, not-jazz, film, theater: a utility man. Grew up on a farm in Northern Maine (no animals, lots of vegetables). Spent several years at William Paterson University in Jersey (New) and managed in spite of that to learn a lot from people like Rufus Reid, Ed Neumeister, Conrad Herwig, and Steve Turre. Also played a lot in the West Village with a band named after an eating establishment in Summit, New Jersey.
Upon finishing college I moved immediately to The City, which was the plan from the beginning. Lived with Andy Bemkey, one of the great pianists of our generation. Spent the next three yrs with my musical family - chiefly the Tonal Evangelists - genre-splitting, playing standards freely & free music like standards, soul, hip-hop, rock and Lord knows what else, sometimes all at once. Also had a number of other jobs, some of them pretty odd.
Then Philadelphia, where I did some playing and recording with a guy named Tim Motzer, of which I am very proud. Made a record with a guy named Chris Berry and his band Panjea, of which I am also very proud, and which I hope someday to hear. Worked like a dog for a catering company. Spent a very great deal of time in coffee shops. Learned to love my neighborhood.
In the fall of 2004 I moved to Europe, since which time I have learned much more about what it is to be an American. I studied again with Ed Neumeister, learned Austrian (similar to German but not exactly), and eventually annexed a master's degree at the University for Music & Performing Arts in Graz.
I also have my own band, which people seem to like. It´s called Brand X, and will remain so until someone contacts me with threats of litigation.
Here, by way of resumé, are some notable people with whom I've played: David Murray, Joe Zawinul, Kurt Elling, Dennis Irwin, Ari Hoenig, Kyle Eastwood, Guster, Johnathan Blake, Butch Morris, Chad Taylor, Jazz Big Band Graz, JazzWerkstatt Wien, the New York Voices.
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