Bio
MUSIC EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Pittsburgh:
Studying with Bill Smith: Bill was the head of the guitar department at the University of Pittsburgh. I began studying with him privately on a weekly basis at my age ten and continued for seven years. We went through the entire Mel Bay series of books as well as other individual books and pieces. He call me his protege.
Studying with Frank Cunimondo: Frank was head of the jazz departments of Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh. He performed on the Johnny Carson Show years ago and was Jeff Goldbloom's, the actor, jazz piano teacher. I studied with Frank on a weekly basis learning his jazz theory method after high school.
Playing experience included over 500 weddings and performing/touring with local rock/dance bands in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. While doing post graduate studies at Oxford University in England I would do occasional live performances. Someone from the BBC radio studios heard me and invited me to perform live in their London studios. I played my original instrumental piece "Radiance."
Manhattan:
New York City was where I immersed myself in the jazz scene by seeing all of the great players and joining in on some of the late night jam sessions.
Speaking with Mike Stern
West Palm Beach:
Studying with Vince Lewis: Vince was the head of the guitar department at Palm Beach College, director of the Bob Hope Big Band when in town, and toured with Paul Desmond and Dave Samuels. I studied privately on a weekly basis for over two years with Vince.
Playing experience included being part of Sy Pryweller's Big Band for over two years. We would rehearse every Monday night at Palm Beach Community College and perform at major venues in Florida. There were jazz stars out front such as Red Rodney, Joey Defrancesco, Tito Puente, Don Goldie, and other notable old school singer/instrumentalists. That band was a springboard for players (including offers to me) to go on tour with famous acts and get TV spots. I played some of the best jazz gigs in Florida and played/jammed with some of the best players there.
San Francisco:
Studying with Brian Pardo: Brian has a PhD in music and was professor at many schools such as UC Berkeley, the California Jazz Conservatory, and Mills College. He studied with Pat Martino and toured with many jazz greats such as Jack McDuff, Paul McDandless, and Stan Getz. I studied privately with Brian for a while.
Studying with Jim Nichols: Jim is one of the Bay Areas best jazz guitarists, so after I heard him on the radio I studied with him privately for about one year.
Playing experience includes silicon valley corporate parties and performing music from original projects at top venues and festivals.
YouTube live performance with Foni Mitchell featuring:
Allyson Paige, Mike Emerson, T Moran, and Edo Castro
With jazz fusion band Thump at George's in San Rafael, CA
With Allysion Paige at the HopMonk in Northern California
With Foni Mitchell at the Fenix in Northern California
West Coast Song Writers Association is an organization I belonged to for years and took all of the courses they offer. I would do up to three writing session a week and eventually sent out demos to Nashville and Los Angeles. I never had a hit song, but a couple of my songs were on hold for some popular county artists. After a couple of years I was offered a staff writers position in Nashville from a small publishing company that was eventually bought by EMI. I did not want to move there and live on song writer wages.
Music Library Report is an organization I belong to that provides music for film, TV, and industry. I have placed my music in all of those areas.
MUSIC WRITING CREDITS
In addition to writing demos, music and lyrics for my own CDs, and collaborative CDs I also do the following:
Industry:
Writing theme songs, original music, and original lyrics to promote products, services, and companies.
TV/Cable:
Writing source music and theme music for various TV/Cable spots.
Film:
Writing source music and theme songs for movies. I wrote the title track and theme song, "Poem of My Soul," for the independent film, The Yankee King, by Laurel Walsh.