I grew up in a household of music with eight older sisters and brothers listening to the pop music of the day-swing. I knew just what I wanted to be when I grew up.... a cowboy.

In the early 50's, I heard the great bebop players live at the Hi-Hat Club on Symphony Sid's radio show on WMEX. Then I knew instinctively what I wanted to be... a drummer!

Well after five years of studying drums, I was backing up R&B groups of friends. Listening to these guys sing, I knew exactly what I wanted to be.... a group singer.

And whaddaya know. I did it! And I love it!

Something was missing though. Through that whole R&B infatuation, I was always a nut about King Pleasure, always dug Annie Ross & Jon Hendricks.

One magic night at the 1960 Newport Jazz Festival, Count Basie and Joe Williams brought onstage Lambert Hendricks and Ross. Well, I already had their first album, but that night I swear I was reborn.

Jon Hendricks is not only an incredible lyricist and vocal performer, but I had never heard a vocalist do the things that he was doing.

I knew for sure what I wanted to do. I realized that singing in front of a band wasn't enough, I wanted to be part of the band, an instumentalist, if you will. I began to listen more to the horns, study their individual styles, scat as they phrased their solos. And I've maintained this philosophy throughout my career-no matter what!

I feel as strongly about it today as I did then.

Performances

Lincoln Center

White Heat Swing Orchestra   - Boston/New England

Northeast Big Band  - New England

Boston Big Band

Ryles Jazz Orchestra

Kenny Hadley Big Band

TKO Big Band

Big & Phat Jazz Orchestra

Bion Orchestra

Greg Abate

Dick Johnson

Lou Columbo

Fred Lipsius

Harvey Mason

Rebecca Parris

Phil Wilson

Keith Copland

Matt Wilson

Winard Harper
Thayer Symphony Orchestra  - Francis Wada,       Conductor

Tony Corbiscello Big Band  - NYC Sultans Of       Swing  - NYC/Martha's Vinyard/Nantucket