a brief history of my musical life:
i began music instruction on the trombone at the age of 9, then picked up the guitar & bass at 15. a year later, & hoping to increase my bass technique, i was bribed by the high school marching band director into re-joining the marching band at the sousaphone position to secure (rent-free!) the school’s only upright bass for my own, private study.
i studied music theory & composition in college.
i have held all manner of musical jobs, including, but not limited to:
- playing professionally with various ensembles since 1988 (original, cover, & tribute rock bands; dance bands; jazz bands: big bands & combos; country, alt country, Americana, & bluegrass bands; latin & flamenco bands; acoustic singer-songwriters; college orchestra; Irish ensembles; jump-jive & swing bands; & many others, for bars & clubs, public & private parties, weddings, festivals, corporate events, &c.)
- writing & arranging for my various groups, including the Lincoln-Way High School Drum Line in New Lenox, Illinois (& serving as technician at their summer camps for several years)
- directing a church hand-bell choir for ten years
- teaching private lessons, band camps, & more, for students of all ages
- engineering sound for bands, public orators, & churches
- post-production audio & music design
- lighting design for bands, small- to medium-sized venues, & special events
many of these jobs remain current – check my events page for where i’m working.