I began playing drums at age seven, my first influences were Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich and Dixieland Jazz drummers. I began playing professionally at age 15 when my drum teacher encouraged me to audition for a wedding band. I played in two different wedding bands throughout high school. My biggest influences at that time were Neil Peart, John Bonham & Phil Ehart.
One night I saw Jazz/Fusion violinist Jean-Luc Ponty perform. Groove, precision, power and finesse were all on display that night, I was hooked, I wanted to play that style of music, but I knew I had to get much better in order to do it.
After much research I narrowed it down to two colleges, Berklee College of Music in Boston and Musicians Institute in Los Angeles. I was accepted into both, but decided on Musicians Institute.
I look back on my time at M.I. as some of my fondest memories. To be able to play with and be taught by players such as Frank Gambale, Scott Henderson, Joe Pass, Jeff & Joe Porcaro, Ralph Humphrey, Casey Scheuerell, Billy Sheehan, Larry Carlton, Paul Gilbert & Joe Diorio, just to name a few, is still a little hard for me to believe. It was both challenging and exciting to go to school every single day.
After graduating I moved back to Chicago and studied at the Bloom School of Jazz and with famed Chicago percussionist Phil Stanger as well as with Jazz drummer Mark Walker.
I was fortunate enough to be able to play and record for 10 years with my own Jazz/Fusion band Double Forte. I also played countless gigs in and around Chicago with various artists and bands stylistically ranging from rock and jazz to gospel. I also had the opportunity to drum and sing lead vocals in one band, which was a lot of fun.
During that time I always maintained an active teaching schedule both privately and also many years at Naperville Music and 8 years at the Academy off Music and Art.
In 2010 I started a new chapter in my musical career when I opened the Des Plaines School of Music where we currently teach 400 students per week.
Even after 40 years of playing and 25 years of teaching, I still get excited to see great players play, and also help others to perhaps become great players one day.
One night I saw Jazz/Fusion violinist Jean-Luc Ponty perform. Groove, precision, power and finesse were all on display that night, I was hooked, I wanted to play that style of music, but I knew I had to get much better in order to do it.
After much research I narrowed it down to two colleges, Berklee College of Music in Boston and Musicians Institute in Los Angeles. I was accepted into both, but decided on Musicians Institute.
I look back on my time at M.I. as some of my fondest memories. To be able to play with and be taught by players such as Frank Gambale, Scott Henderson, Joe Pass, Jeff & Joe Porcaro, Ralph Humphrey, Casey Scheuerell, Billy Sheehan, Larry Carlton, Paul Gilbert & Joe Diorio, just to name a few, is still a little hard for me to believe. It was both challenging and exciting to go to school every single day.
After graduating I moved back to Chicago and studied at the Bloom School of Jazz and with famed Chicago percussionist Phil Stanger as well as with Jazz drummer Mark Walker.
I was fortunate enough to be able to play and record for 10 years with my own Jazz/Fusion band Double Forte. I also played countless gigs in and around Chicago with various artists and bands stylistically ranging from rock and jazz to gospel. I also had the opportunity to drum and sing lead vocals in one band, which was a lot of fun.
During that time I always maintained an active teaching schedule both privately and also many years at Naperville Music and 8 years at the Academy off Music and Art.
In 2010 I started a new chapter in my musical career when I opened the Des Plaines School of Music where we currently teach 400 students per week.
Even after 40 years of playing and 25 years of teaching, I still get excited to see great players play, and also help others to perhaps become great players one day.
