In the fall of 1988 I entered the Hartt School of Music. Here I was able to study with alto saxophonist and jazz legend Jackie McLean and also with classical saxophonist Kenneth Radnofsky on a weekly basis and my life-long pursuance of the mastery of my instrument began. As a member of the African-American Music department I studied not only the origins of music but also the origins of man and the contributions of Africans to civilization as we know it as well as jazz history, harmony, European-classical music history, piano, ear training, arranging and ensemble playing.

From 1991 to 1998 I was a faculty member at Thompson Music in West Hartford, CT. I taught weekly saxophone and clarinet lessons to beginners as well as advanced students specializing in music theory and jazz improvisation. I gave lessons at the Artist's Collective in Hartford, CT., which is an inner city music and arts school founded by Jackie and Dollie McLean. In the spring of 1994 I participated in the Jazz in the Classroom series, which brought jazz education and music appreciation to inner city schools where music instruction is not readily available, in Binghamton, New York. In the spring of 1997 I was an artist-in-residence and guest soloist at the Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory in Berea, Ohio. I have also been a guest instructor for Jackie McLean's saxophone class at the Hartt School as well as a faculty member of the Litchfield Jazz Festival Summer Music Camp.

Although I enjoy the benefits and rewards that come with teaching, my true love is performing. In Hartford I became interested in playing Latin music and was a member of a few different bands including Orchesta Pueblo, Ray Gonzales's Orchestra and Ciencia Latina, which played frequently all over Connecticut and Massachusetts. At Hartt, I met trombonist Steve Davis and he has been a close friend and musical comrade since. In 1992 I was a member of Steve's Explorers Orchestra and later in 1994 the Explorers Quintet which played steadily in and around Connecticut and New York. I have also been on three of Steve Davis' recordings for Criss Cross Records; The Jaunt, Crossfire, and the latest release, not yet available.

I have been leading my own groups since my days at the University of Hartford. As well as playing countless private parties and "cocktail sips", I have been featured regularly at the 880 Club and Main & Hopewell both in Connecticut. I have also led groups at the Bop Stop in Cleveland, Ohio and in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at The Balcony, James Street Cafe and the Andy Warhol Museum. Since moving to New York I regularly lead groups in New York at Augie's Jazz, the Savoy Lounge and Kavehaz. I have also played at the Savoy Lounge as a member of trumpeter Jim Rotondi's Quartet and at Smalls jazz club as a member of both Jim Rotondi's Quartet and pianist Michael Weiss' sextet. Throughout my short career I have had the opportunity to perform with some veteran jazz musicians including Cecil Payne, Eddie Henderson and Harold Maybern; and also some well-established younger musicians including Eric Alexander, Michael Weiss, Duane Byrno, Mike Ladone, David Hazeltine, Randy Johnston, Joe Magnerelli, Jim Rotondi, Nat Reeves and Joe Farnsworth.

My recording career, as a leader, began this year with the release of my first CD, From the Inside Out, on Sharp Nine Records in February 1999.