BIOGRAPHY

I am a guitarist and songwriter who plays and writes music in a variety of styles including: Blues, Classic Rock, Fusion, Jazz, Country Blues and Jugband, as well as Old-Time Appalachian fiddle.

Music Career

Early in my music career, I played guitar with The  New Memphis Jugstompers. Soon after, I joined Cat’s Cradle, a San Francisco style jam band in Worcester,  Massachusetts. In Philadelphia, I performed with Blues Rock bands including: The Bluescasters, The No Alibi Blues Band (featuring Zan Gardner) and the King Bees.

Other bands in the area I’ve worked with include: Firemonkey (Europop), The Blue Route (Classic Rock), the Flip Sidz (Classic Rock) and most recently, The Smooth Transition Band (an event and party band).

I’ve had the pleasure of opening for: the Allman Brothers, Leon Russel, Edgar Winter, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Roy Buchannon, The Holy Modal Rounders, Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers, Junior Klein and the Recliners among others.

My love for jug band music led to pursuing Appalachian style Old­time music. I immersed myself  in the fiddling of Melvin Wine, Tommy Jarrell, The Camp Creek Boys, Benton Flippen and many others, resulting in my joining with the Rorschach County Ramblers and, later, the Scattershot String Band as well as guest engagements with other local string  bands.

In recent years, I’ve recorded some of my compositions with my friend, fine drummer and music production specialist, Leo Ayers, as well as playing  on some of his. They are featured in the Audio section of this website.

Formal Education

• High School Diploma: Haverford Senior High School
• Bachelor of Arts:  Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts. Double Major in English Literature and Psychology
• Masters of Creative Arts in Therapy (M.C.A.T.) Concentration in Music Therapy: Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, Pa.
• Ph.D.:  Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pa., Concentrations in Counseling Psychology, Clinical Assessment, Educational Psychology, Cognitive Psychology

Music Education

• Piano: four years
• Guitar: Over forty years of playing experience. Studied guitar, theory, songwriting and the music industry with Chuck Anderson. Also, studied guitar theory & repertoire with Joe Federico
• Violin: Over twenty years playing experience

Influences

I’m influenced by all the music I hear, but especially: Chicago Blues, Jazz: Fusion, Brazilian, Beebop, Smooth Jazz, Classic Rock, Old-Time fiddle and banjo, Jugband!

Projects

• Forming a new band to play clubs and events
• Recording original music