Born in Wichita Falls, Texas, and raised in Philadelphia, but mainly in southern New Jersey, I was introduced to music at an early age. I would often listen to my father play the guitar and sing the blues around the house.I began to play the guitar at the age of 10. By the age of 13 I switched to bass because there was only 4 strings, and the lower frequencies in the music spectrum excited me more.

I learned how to read music a little in school, but my ears were the real teachers. At 18yrs old I went into the military for 4yrs. After the military I began my 4-year apprentice as an Electrician. It was at the age of 25 when I walked into a local music store and bought a bass guitar. That same weekend at a local club, I saw the most amazing bass player taking an unbelievable solo on a bass guitar. After the show I walked up to the bass player and said, I would love to learn how to play bass like that, John said he could start teaching me tomorrow. Little did I know that bass player was the one and only, Philadelphia's John Hart.

I studied privately off and on for 3yrs with John Hart, covering scales, ear training, music theory, harmony and learning standard jazz songs. Later going out to the clubs and sitting in on a few songs, playing them weekly until I played them correctly & with feeling. Further private study continued with Gerald Veasley, Don Stevens, the tone master, to me, and most recently intensive study with my friend Derick Hodges. As you can see all of my bass heroes are the local professional players on the scene here in the Philadelphia and Jersey area. I'm so blessed to be able to reach out to such a wide range of heavy cats on the bass.

My first influences from my favorite groups include, Earth Wind & Fire, Santana, Tower of Power, Kool and the Gang, Buddy Miles & the Motown Groups. Current influences include Aquarium Rescue Unit, Steely Dan, Tribal Tech, Steve Khan, Pat Metheny & Joao Bosco.

I spent many years playing regionally and recording with bands ranging from Jazz to Rock, to R&B to Funk and Fusion. I still do freelance work in the area. I can be found sometimes performing with other local musician friends, Mysterious Travelers.

I would like to say, to all bass players both novice & semi pro, stay true to your art, keep your mind open to all styles of music and above all else, land the ultimate gig.

Can also be heard on:

Ron Marquiss CD ­ M ­ Destiny.

Sandra Barnes ­ Spoken Word / Poetry & Jazz.

September Will Never be the same.