Charleston native; Started drumming 'seriously' by sunset on my second Christmas; Chops remain STRONG, to-date

As a 'Child of the South',  Was constantly exposed to local Black Culture, especially Music, early on... 'Boogied' as a toddler to Bobby 'Blue' Bland, Irma Thomas, Etta James, B B King, Solomon Burke, etc...Inspiring Me to THE BONE ; The Passion & Talent to groove these rhythms are a treasured inheritance

Commenced formal musical education at age Eight; was deemed a 'quick study' and played first Professional gig at age 13....Joined the A F of M shortly thereafter; Made Allstate Band in SC three years while in high school. Was onstage professionally AT LEAST one night per week from that point forward

• First formal Jazz percussion instructor was a Jesuit priest, Father Freddie McLean, (abandoned the 'Big Time' Jazz scene in NYC to follow His calling) who taught me to play the 'traditional' styles of Krupa, Rich, Chick Webb,etc.. My second teacher, Ronnie Free MORE INFO , (recorded with, and played for Mose Allison, Woody Herman, Lena Horne, and the Jack Par Show's NBC staff orchestra) lead me to 'West Coast' and 'Avant Garde' playing styles of Brubeck, Tjader, MJQ, Chet Baker, Don Cherry. My third, and most influential in my life, was Roddy DeRain (Tenor Player w/ Woody Herman, Stan Kenton) who directed me towards  Be-Bop Jazz; Parker,Lester Young, Coltrane, Miles, Elvin Jones, etc...FOR THE PRESENCE OF THESE MEN IN MY LIFE; I AM TRULY BLESSED !

As a youth, l free-lanced in Charleston play'in weekly , backing diverse varieties of musical styles.....

• Big-Band Jazz  with the Tommy Garrett, Cacciapo-Marino and Nick Strainey Orchestras ( predominantly comprised of HS band directors and musicians from the Navy Band, then stationed in Charleston )

• 'Combo' work with Traditional 'POP' and Jazz Groups

• R & B with top Boogie  bands such as 'Lance & The Hucklebucks', 'Piano Calvin and the Tornados', as I customarily frequented, and sat-in at 'After Hours' joints following My 'straight' gigs 

• Rock a' Billy - C & W with 'Jim House and the Rhythm Ramblers' with whom I played an annual C & W festival in Andalusia, AL, as well as occasional recording session work at the Porter Wagoner Studio in Charlotte, NC

• Held a Percussionist chair with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, and the A F of M 'Performing Musicians Trust' Concert Orchestra

• Qualified for a drummer's slot in the U S Marine's Post Band at Parris Island when enlisted in 'The Corps'

From age 16 thru 26, working out of Charleston, I gig'ed steady with four of the most popular R & B groups, performing to a South Eastern Regional  following.

• The Caravelle's ( 13 piece touring 'Showband' from Clemson U ) MORE INFO
• The Magnificent 7 (House Band at the legendary' Merch' after-hours club)
• The Riviera's ( 'Rhythm 'n Beach' Party Band, Dominant throughout the 60's)
• The Vistas (who I also recorded with) 

Despite an ambition to pursue a career as a Performing Artist; I submitted to My formal education and 'caved' to work in the field of Architecture and Design, ... all the while 'weekending' as an avocation thru-out long-term tenures in Atlanta, NYC, London, and L A, prior to moving to Savannah 

For various reasons; I've only recently been able to actively engage in full-time musical pursuits ( daily studio workouts to maintain my Chops ).... I'm currently seeking to committ to a group and available for 'Call Gigs'

I remain open to all reasonable options in order to do so