Sing, Guitar, Trumpet, Compose

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

A: I have several projects where I was able to use my daughters as background vocalists. Those have been the most rewarding project I have worked on.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I have 4 albums of my own that I am working on as well as one mastering project for a band in my local area.

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

A: I am brand new here.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both... their union provides the widest pallet from which to create what is most appropriate for the song. It's more about the right tool for the job in my opinion, than being a purest for either camp.

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

A: That you will be delighted with my contributions or we will rework it until you are. That being said, I often do not take projects that do not inspire me personally as that is a very difficult 'promise' to keep if you are not passionate about the project.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love music, therefore I love my job.

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

A: Question: Is mastering really important? Answer: Yes ! lol

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

A: That music isn't a real job.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Everything that needs to be asked dependent upon the project.

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

A: I am rather direct in my approach, while professional, I am not going to mislead you, which in my opinion is a highly desirable characteristic, however the truth can sometimes be hard to hear.

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

A: My family... music from the heart is the best kind and needs no instruments that we are not already provided with.

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

A: I started my love of music in grade school, playing trumpet and singing in school ensembles, but in 1991 I moved to NYC to "make it" and that is really when it all started for real for me.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Simple, catchy and live ! I do most of my work in one take and that is that...

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

A: It would have been Miles Davis, not only because of the trumpet hero connection, but because he was always there, even at his superstar level, for the song, not the solo... which is why you will hear mistakes in his playing on all of his recorded music, that is just outstanding and so admirable.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Less is more...

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

A: I love synthwave and spend a great deal of time in that realm, though it can cross many boundaries.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Melody and harmony, I can just "hear" it, almost instantly.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: As above, I bring "me" to the song without over shadowing the original composition. I am often there to enhance, not showcase my playing and skillset.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When performing for others, I allow the producer to provide any direction or no direction, it's their choice. I am very strong with melody and harmony so I often land on a "hook" and take a long into a new space.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have what I would consider a typical home studio in the modern world, capable of recording anything with the exception of an orchestra or live drums (I do not have a dedicated performance room)

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

A: I'm inspired by genuine, non-subjective talent.

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

A: Production: I do a great deal of mixing and mastering for clients. Performance: I play a lot of trumpet on other composers work.