Growing up in a musical family, with my Dad playing trumpet and my mom being a singer, we always had music in the house. Any and all styles of music could be heard... from Ella Fitzgerald to Joan Sutherland, big band to classical. I guess that it was inevitable that I would end up in the music business. How I ended up on bass trombone is another story...

In the summer of 1971, I went to hear a big band concert that my dad was playing. What an awesome band! My dad was playing lead on this night (he is still the most exciting lead player that I've ever heard.), and the band was really hot. I could not get over the sound coming from the bass trombone - so powerful and exciting, man, what a sound!

After the concert I told my dad that I wanted to play bass trombone and that I wanted a lesson with the bass trombonist in "that big band". Dad said that he would give the bass trombone player a call. Borrowing an instrument from our high school, I had my first lesson later that week. His name was Charlie Vernon. At the time Charlie was a student at Georgia State University in Atlanta and I was going into my junior year of high school. Charlie remains one of my best and closest friends after all these years. His playing still amazes me!

Fast forward to the present. I have been so blessed in my playing career. I have recorded with different groups including the Chicago Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Millar Brass Ensemble, Mexico City Philharmonic, and Cincinnati Symphony. Some personal highlights include playing and touring with the Chicago Symphony on numerous occasions and being hired by Zubin Mehta to play in the Lyric Opera Orchestra of Chicago's 1996 production of Wagner's "Ring" cycle. I have so much to be thankful for.

In addition to the continuing influence of Charlie Vernon, I have had some great teachers over the years. They include Harry B. Maddox Jr., former principal trombone, Atlanta Symphony; Edward Kleinhammer, bass trombone, Chicago Symphony orchestra, retired; and the late Arnold Jacobs, tuba, Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

I am very happily married to Vicki. We have two wonderful children - Amber 11 and Justin 6.

Christan Griego contacted me in 2003 to discuss forming a trio between the two of us and Kyle Samuelson. We met every week for the purpose of performing a higher level of music and to challenge ourselves musically. After one of our sessions Christan asked me if I would be open to trying one of his new bass mouthpieces. Having played a Schilke 60 for the past 25 years (and never having found a mouthpiece that would make me consider switching), I agreed to offer him suggestions to improve his design. However, after playing it for 20 minutes, I realized that I couldn't find anything to criticize. The .5 Deco allowed me to do what I needed to do all the while opening up another realm of sound and response. I immediately made the switch. The honeymoon isn't over, and I don't expect it will ever be.

I am looking forward to working with a company whose products are designed by a musician for musicians. In preparation to become Director of Sales for Griego Mouthpieces, I have spent the past month playing every model of mouthpiece in our inventory. I think that with this knowledge I will be able to help players find their ideal mouthpiece. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments you may have.