Biography

I was raised in Kingston, Ontario.

Back when the public school system was adequately funded, I started studying alto in Grade 7 at Calvin Park Public School. Studied privately with Clifford “Knobby” Clarke and James Stolte while attending Loyalist Collegiate and Vocational Institute. Played baritone sax for a season with the Queen’s University Jazz Ensemble.

I took 2 years of the Jazz Performance course at Mohawk College in Hamilton. Studied privately with Pat LaBarbera. Attended York University, playing in a small group under the guidance of John Gittens, and the York Jazz Orchestra under David Mott.

Then, I took 10 years off from playing. I got a day job, sold all my horns, lived in Oakville, the whole thing. Then I met Paul McKay, a very talented songwriter, who coaxed me back into playing. Before long I was getting pretty serious about it. I started buying instruments and decided to go back to playing as a full time job.

Since returning to music, I’ve played with Earthen Sky, Mary Anderson, the Toronto Saxophone Quartet, Murray Porter, the Endangered Species Big Band, the Bob Cary Orchestra, NOJO, Freeflight, the Starlight Orchestra, and the Kim Hunt Nonette, as well as lots of duo and trio playing around the city of Toronto.

Over the last couple of years I‘ve gotten into freelance computer consulting (I sold my soul, but I got a good price for it!) and now play solely for the enjoyment of it. Fortunately, I love it a lot, so I still do tons of playing.

In July of 2007, I moved to Huntsville. My consulting practice is growing and I'm really loving it here.