Composer / Pianist / Educator - Division Head of Graduate Jazz Studies at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia with two CD releases as leader.
Born and raised in Clifford Brown's hometown of Wilmington, Delaware
I began to study piano in 1961 at the age of ten.
In 1975 I received a Bachelor of Music degree in composition from North Texas State University where my classmates included Marc Johnson, Lyle Mays, Dennis Irwin, and John Riley. My Master of Music degree in jazz studies is from Rutgers. I've been fortunate to study with some wonderful teachers including Bernard Peiffer, Sir Roland Hanna, and Kenny Barron. My playing experience in concerts, clubs, and recording studios includes performances with many great musicians including: Ernie Watts, Donald Byrd, Henry Mancini, Marcus Belgrave, Terell Stafford, Eddie Gomez, Patti Austin, Randy Brecker, Robin Eubanks, Duane Eubanks, John Fedchock, Al Stauffer, and Larry McKenna. I have two CD releases as leader; ONLY BELIEVE on Cadence Jazz Records and SUDDEN LIFE on Dreambox Media. My current working trio includes drummer Fred Biondi and bassist Micah Jones.
Teaching has been an integral part of my career and I have contributed numerous educational articles to jazz publications such as Downbeat and Jazz Improv. I am currently a full professor at The University of the Arts where I am Division Head of Graduate Jazz Studies and Piano Department Chair.
Home
Wilmington, DE
My Desert Island Picks
- Chick Corea - Now He Sings, Now He Sobs
- Miles Davis - Miles Smiles
- Thad Jones, Mel Lewis Quartet - Live At The Airliner
- Thad Jones, Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra - Mosaic Box Set
- Kenny Barron - Wanton Spirit
- Bill Evans - At The Montreux Jazz Festival
- Enrico Pieranunzi - Deep Down
- Enrico Pieranunzi - Play Morricone
- Clifford Brown - The EmArcy Box Set
- Art Tatum - The Complete Capitol Recordings
- Roland Hanna - Solo Piano
- Keith Jarrett - Facing You
- Bud Powell - A Jazz Giant
- Hampton Hawes - The Trio Volume I
- Billie Holiday - Body And Soul
- Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson - Ella And Oscar
- John Coltrane with Johnny Hartman
- Charles Mingus - Let My Children Hear Music
- Bernard Peiffer - Formidable
- Coltrane and Monk - At Carnegie Hall
- Olivier Messiaen - Piano Works
- Danniebelle Hall - This Moment
- Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks - The 2000 Year Old Man
- Richie Beirach - Elegy for Bill Evans
- Woody Shaw - Lotus Flower
- Michel Colombier - Wings
What I'm Listening To Now (As of 2009-10-18)
- Cecil Taylor - Air Above Mountains
- Miles Davis - Miles in Berlin
- Clare Fischer - Piano Trios Mosaic Box Set
- Tommy Flanagan - The Trio
- George Rochberg - Third String Quartet
- Enrico Pieranunzi Trio - Live In Paris
