Session Guitarist and Bass

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: I played guitar recently on Kelly Clarkson's album "When Christmas Comes Around" with producer Joe Trapanese and legendary studio musician Greg Philinganes

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: The next full-length record for international recording artists, the Gettys.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Lester Estelle and Charlie Lowell

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both, we have arrived at the perfect hybrid moment in technology.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: To elevate their production.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Capturing my performances of master quality instrument tracks that fit and serve the song.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: How much it will cost them for me to play acoustic guitars, electric guitars and bass on their project.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: Have to remind people that I am a small business owner, and face many of the same challenges any freelance/contractor, or small businesses face.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Is there a style or "known" sound that is related to the sounds you would like to hear from guitar and bass?

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: From my experience, it is advantageous for you to send studio musicians, like myself, specific stems from your recording session. Tracking to just an mp3 does not always provide enough clarity for us as professional "listeners."

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: My Ricardo Sanchez custom electric guitar, my Browne Amplification Overdrive special amp, My 1975 Fender Pbass and the limited masterbuilt cedar-top acoustic guitar that Epiphone gave me.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I have been recording as guitarist/bassist since 1996. I've been fortunate to tour the world with amazing artists. Some names you might recognize are Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani, TobyMac, Lauren Daigle

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I fit into your style!

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: Paul McCartney or Paul Simon. Both have seemingly limitless imaginations.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Leave space in your tracks/ music, you will have a (perceived) louder master.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: pop, rock, film scores, country, folk, hip-hop, r&b, worship, americana, jazz......I play almost any genre, which seems to be why people hire me.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Coming up with interesting parts. I am a composer, producer and arranger as well as an in-demand guitarist and bassist. I play almost any genre, which seems to be why people hire me.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I strive to adjust my technique, tone shaping, and energy to the material that I have been sent. Your song matters! All my efforts go to enhancing in any way I can. Sometimes I play more aggressive and 'loud' sometimes, it's just a single soft performance on my classical guitar. I play almost any genre, which seems to be why people hire me.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I receive the stems from the client, pop them into a session template in Logic. I listen first to any reference material that has been included, then I write a chart of the music. I typically track acoustics and bass first, then move on to electrics.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: These days I am fortunate to run a Mac laptop based studio; this allows me (if neccessary) to also record away from my studio if I need to. I'm very happy these days with my UAD plugins, reliable microphones such as my WA-47 tube microphone, and microphone preamps like my WA273 (1073 style) preamp. I have 25 instruments here at my disposal, and love every minute of creating with them.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: I always looked up to the many session musicians in LA and nashville who forged a process of quickly coming up with interesting and valuable contributions in a timely manner.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: I remotely recording acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and electric bass for producers, songwriters, composers, tv/film, video games and commercials. I can read or play by ear parts pre-existing parts; or self-write/produce parts for your music.