Background

I am a traditional straight ahead jazz player. My idol is Oscar Peterson. My main instrument is piano, but I also play jazz trumpet and Hammond B3. I'm 45 years old, played my first paying wedding gig in 1979. Studied classical piano for 10 years and am a good reader. I played professionally in the Oklahoma City area from 1981-1989. Then I traveled abroad for the next 5 years working primarily as pianist for Jack Morgan and the Russ Morgan Orchestra. In between tours I did stints with other big bands such as Tex Beneke, Guy Lombardo, Jimmy Dorsey. I also worked for several cruise lines including NCL and the Delta Steamboat Co. Beginning in 1995 I began playing at the College Station Hilton Hotel where I performed 6 days a week and all holiday brunches. Currently I teach a few improv lessons and book as many gigs as I can. The groups I promote are described in detail on my website, but are: solo piano, piano/bass duo, piano/bass/gtr trio, piano/bass/drum trio, quartet, dixieland quartet (Aggieland DixieBand), and a 7 piece dance orchestra for ballroom dances. I am extremely well versed and knowlegeable in all styles of swing, jazz, and ballroom dance music and can play 100's of songs off the top of my head. Some refer to me as a "crowd pleasing" performer, and that's ok with me. I love to perform and connect with the audience. I always leave them smiling.

Location

College Station

Occupation

Professional Entertainer

Music That Inspires Me

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Films I'll Watch More Than Once

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