biography
I have had a long and fufilling career playing many styles of music. I started playing drums at the age of 12, and at age 18 as a freshman in college, released the Top 40 hit record "You Rule Me" with my rock band, the Cornerstones.
While at the University of North Dakota I began playing and studying jazz and graduated with a BSPA degree. I then moved to Tucson and attended the University of Arizona on a full music scholarship.
While living in Tucson I have had the opportunity to play with many visiting well-known jazz musicians including Mose Allison, Laurindo Almeida, Joshua Breakstone, Richie Cole, Tal Farlow and Dickie Thompson. I have also played steadily over the years with some of Tucson's finest bandleaders including Mickey Greco, Jeff Haskell, Darryl Hinson, Dale Norris, Cass Preston and Dayna Wagner.
Playing Rock and Pop I have backed The Coasters, The Drifters, Doug Kershaw, Trini Lopez, The Marvelettes, Jim Messina and The Platters.
I have played with Country music legends Mac Davis, Jimmy Dean and Johnny Lee.
In Las Vegas I played at the Dunes Hotel with the Russ Carlyle Orchestra and at the Four Queens Resort as part of the Dondino Show.
Comedians I have backed include Dom DeLuise, Buddy Hackett, Bob Newhart and Rip Taylor.
For the past 10 years I have played the vibes with Louie Levinson's Bossa Rhythm Project and with the George Howard Trio that also featured Harvey Brooks on bass.
I played traditional Jewish music with the Los Angeles based band, The Simcha Orchestra, on their gigs in Southern Arizona. I also often get asked to play other traditional ethnic events featuring Italian and Latin American music.
While on a recent two year sabbatical in New York City, I had the good fortune to study Latin percussion with Victor Rendón and the vibraphone with Warren Chiasson.
Not forgetting my roots, I play a few gigs and concerts each year with my original band and close friends, the Cornerstones, in my hometown of Grand Forks, North Dakota, where the band is still popular after all these years.
