Versatile Session Drummer

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

A: Joss Stone’s Merry Christmas, Love. She was a joy to work with and her producer and the rest of the players were absolutely amazing. I was hired for playing drums and we all developed a really special relationship from this project.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Cooking and building a new tracking room.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Meeting new people and and creating new music. And making jokes that may or may not translate.😬😂

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

A: Q. Do you play jazz in a tux? A. Yes, I use bandanas to dampen the heads. Q. What’s your favorite meal? A. I do tambourine, shaker, a timbale, a couple cowbells, woodblock type stuff. Bolognese Q. What’s your favorite wine? A. Absolutely yes

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: When people look your music up on platforms, what other artist will be curated in that mix? Who is the reference or inspiration for their song? How can we make this and recurring relationship?

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

A: Ah, communicate with me best you can what you want. If you have a reference, let me know. Feel free to ask me any musical questions that will give you a since of ease and transparency.

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

A: I've been playing drums over 30 years and recording and touring for about 20. I started out with gospel, the jazz, disco, blues, country, Americana and rock. I love that I have had these various experiences opening me up to versatility.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Creative, Groovy, flexible, and fun. Patient, then aggressive when needed and very reactive/spontaneous.

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

A: Sting, he’s a musical anomaly. You can’t quite pin him stylistically and his story telling is masterful. Dua Lipa- Four on the floor all day!! The Weeknd - His music stylistically and pocket are throwbacks to what I grew up with. Charlie Puth - he's musically clever and discreet with his inspiration. Anderson Paak- He's a drummer I know but the grooves are dope, relevant, incredible lyrics and production.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Have fun always. Allow musical distraction to discover something new in the moment and capture the lightning in a bottle.

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

A: 1: solid powered Computer 2: API 512 lunchbox 3: 20 pearl maple gum kick 4: aluminum snare 5: zildjian 16" hats

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

A: Quincy Jones, Marcus Miller, Herbie Hancock, Charlie Puth, Snarky Puppy, Billie Eilish, Stevie Wonder, Sting, James Taylor, and’s silk sonic.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening, dynamics and flexible.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I get the song loaded in and play along to get tones having listened to it first. Then I listen to memorize as much as possible. Then (this is optional) once we connect virtually, we discuss the vision of the tune and you make sure the sounds are what you’re wanting. This way you can get what's needed the first time. (time limits apply).

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Creativity and solid ideas. Support for the song. Figuring out what you'd want and making the request a reality.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I’d say digital for flexibility. Both are relevant though and I love analog tones.

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

A: R&B, Jazz, Blues

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

A: Jazz, Funk, Pop, Blues and R&B

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

A: Derrek Phillips, Jordan Perlson, Hubert Payne, Lester Estelle, Keio Stroud.

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

A: That I will give100% effort in making your song feel great.

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

A: That I only play jazz.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Gear wise, I have a 70's Pearl Fiber-Wood kit, Music City Reference by Pearl, a Japanese maple kit Assortment of Zildjian Cymbals both bright and dark. Several modern and vintage snares Meinl Percussion toys. If requested I will track two takes. I record using logic. API 512's WARM AUDIO 412 WARM AUDIO 273 SE VR2 ribbons SE 8 MD421's SM57 SE 8 DBX tube pre Solomon Sub Kick SE V Kick In FET 47