Music has always been a passion of mine. I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1979.
However, the real musical journey began when I was ten years old. My grandma Goldie had just asked me,
if I could play any instrument, what instrument would I play? I told her the
Saxophone.
Signaling me to stay where I was, she walked up to the attic of her house and brought down my
grandfather’s sax; an old 1940's Conn Lady Face alto saxophone. Though I’ve never met my grandfather
(with him having passed away before I was born) after seeing pictures and hearing stories of how
incredible he was regarding his career as a professional saxophone player, I decided I wanted to
give it a go.
I started taking private lessons when I was ten years old, and played my first gig at the West
Allis State Fair Fireworks show at eleven years old; performing a solo of "Don't Know Much,"
by Arron Neville and Linda Ronstadt. This was the moment I knew the stage was for me.
Teachers in my formative years played a huge role in my learning and inspiration:
- Mr. Rebicle - West Allis Longfellow Elementary School
- Judy Halet - West Allis Horace Mann Middle School
- Brian Carter - West Allis Central High School
My parents were were beyond encouraging paying for lessons from great Milwaukee saxophone
teachers such as Joe Kress, Peter Neumer, and Curt Hanrahan. None of this would have
happened without my parents. They pushed for me to succeed (especially my father) who drove me
to countless hours of rehearsals. Groups such as MYSO (Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra),
GMYWE (Greater Milwaukee Youth Wind Ensemble), and GMYJE (Greater Milwaukee Youth Jazz Ensemble).
Thanks to both my parents’ love and support, along with years of hard work, I earned a performance
degree Scholarship at UW Milwaukee. After many years at UW Milwaukee, I spent my time trying to
figure out where my education and passion could take me, before it brought me to the local live music
scene, where I dedicated much of my time and effort.
My saxophone and I have traveled the world, playing in Germany, France, Austria, Sweden, Denmark,
Norway, Switzerland, Netherlands, Costa Rica, and all over the great United States. I've had the
privilege to share the stage with Sax great Ernie Watts, Milwaukee Sax legend and my old sax
teacher/pal Peter Neumer, Willie Waldmen (Trumpet for Snoop Dogg), Ike Willis (Singer of Frank Zappa),
Steve Molitz (Keyboardist of Particle).
I've opened up for many popular world traveling bands such as Milwaukee's own Little Blue Cruchie Things,
Galactic, FishBone, Billy Cobham, and even Journey.
Many more things are planned for the future and I truly believe the best is yet to come! From the hosts
of the greatest concert I've ever played for my parents (before their passing) and from the band I
partied with and opened for at the BMO Harris Stage, I’d like to end this bio with their words...
"Don't Stop Believing!”