In 1979 I graduated high school in Islip, NY and was accepted to the University of Bridgeport music program. It was there I met and became friends with two drummers who were my next door neighbors, Joel Rosenblatt and Dave Weckl. Today Joel are Dave are arguably 2 of the most sought after drummers in the US, and probably the world. In the early 80’s we became friends and I’m proud to say we have remained, as time and distance throughout the years would allow. Joel and I in particular are very close and in constant contact on both a personal and professional level, and both of these guys were undoubtedly the single biggest influence in my career. In 1980, Joel, Dave and I were the 3 drummers at UB who played the 2 open drum chairs in the jazz ensembles at the college.

Joel and Dave are amazing at what they do, and they also have top notch studios that cater to all types of music recording.

www.joelrosenblatt.com

www.daveweckl.com

In 2007 I had the pleasure of playing and touring with Laurence Elder, an accomplished singer and song writer in the jazz/pop genre. Laurence is considered to be a “triple threat” among many musicians, because of his singer-somngwriter-pianist skills. Laurence has won critical acclaim from JAZZIZ magazine, Modern Drummer, the Miami Herald, Florida Travel and Life, and countless music industry luminaries. His debut album “Surrounded” features such artists as Peter Erskine and Paquito D’Rivera. This was by far one of the best musical experiences I have ever had, and hope to reunite with Laurence in the future.

www.laurenceelder.com

Through the years I’ve had the priveledge to meet and become to close to so many great musicians, and Bette Sussman is one of them. Bette has a resume a mile long, which includes MD for both Whitney Houston and Bette Midler. Bette is also a great singer/songwriter in her own right, and her talents as a keyboard player, arranger, composer and conductor are unsurpassed. She is one of the greats in this business, and I’m glad to know her.