PERCUSSION/MUSIC PROGRAMMING

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

A: When I played on Michael Brecker's Grammy Winning album called "Wide Angles". Ever since I was a teen I had been listening to fusion greats like Michael and Billy Cobham, Return To Forever, Weather Report. I must have played Billy Cobham's album "Crosswinds" a thousand times when I was a kid. To hear Michael's beautiful solo on Heather used to make me tear up. And then, twenty years later, with hard work I was able to grace the stage with Mike and to be on this beautiful album alongside Antonio Sanchez, John Patitucci, Gil Goldstein, etc.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Writing compositions for my next album.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog to listen to (such as vinyl, etc.) Digital for recording. So many advancements have been made to make it easier for artists to record and to get their music across by means of many social mediums.

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

A: To provide the best percussion tracks you ever heard. And, to deliver them on time.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love everything about being a musician and recording artist. The friendships that I have made along the way, the experience of traveling to many countries and experiencing different worlds and cultures.

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

A: I always ask "Is there is something in particular or, a specific instrument/part that you want me to focus on?" I will get some direction from them but most of the time the artist will say "I trust you."

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

A: That a percussionist will overplay. I won't do that.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: 1. Which instruments are you thinking of for each song? 2. Do you have a chart or sheet music? 3. What genre does your music resemble the most?

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

A: I will put my heart and soul into your project. My resume is indicative of the work that I have provided for these wonderful artists and I look forward to having the honor of adding my percussion to your creations.

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

A: My computer, my interface, my pre-amp, my microphones and my headphones.

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

A: Ever since I was 5 years old I knew I wanted to be a drummer. Fast forward to Junior High School in the Bronx and at graduation I was awarded the medal for Best Musician. At New York University, where I received my Bachelor's and Master's Degree I also was awarded the honor of Best Musician in my graduating class. I was also awarded the Presser Scholar, a prestigious award. I am proud of the fact that I always was noticed by my professors and peers and that I applied myself in vigorous ways. I am proud to say that a percussionist received these honors instead of the violoins, brass, etc. After graduating I joined Lionel Hampton's band for two years and made numerous and wonderful connections that have led me to be on tour and record with Taylor Swift, Steely Dan, Al Green, Al Jarreau, Norah Jones, Jewel, Beyonce and Maxwell. In the jazz realm, I have been blessed to record with Michael Brecker (Wide Angles), Christian McBride (Vertical Vision), Pat Martino (Tribute To Wes Montgomery), etc.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is the New York City Style. In other words, being blessed to have grown up in the cultural capital of the world is something that I cherish.So many different genres are played by all of the best NY musicians. They can do anything and everything. I want to follow in those footsteps.

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

A: Santana. Because I have been listening to Santana ever since I was a kid and always admired how he was so ingenious by bringing to the forefront the combination of Pop Music and Latin Music.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't be afraid to experiment. Try unusual mic setups and EQ's.

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

A: Pop, Rock, Jazz, Latin, World

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I believe I possess the power of being able to provide the nastiest groove on a song. So many percussionists overplay and meander away from what the song calls for. I play exactly what is needed for each song and then complement it by putting all of my soul into the part.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring passion along with precision. I want to give my client perfectly edited percussion tracks in which my client does not have to edit anything major.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I study the song, make notes and map out every Verse, Pre-Chorus, Chorus & Bridge. I then track each instrument according to which timbre will go best with each section. I want to know the song and deliver the best part possible for my client.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have many varieties of Congas, Timbales, Bongos and other percussion instruments. My recording setup is ProTools Version 12, Focusrite Scarlett i818 Interface, Universal Audio Pre-amps. Microphones: SHURE SM7B, AKG, RODE NT1, SHURE SM57

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

A: Ron St. Germain, Bob Powers, Robert Sadin, Bassy Bob Brockman Stevie Wonder, John Coltrane, Beatles, Miles Davis

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

A: Provide percussion tracks of all styles for your songs or album.