I was born in Chicago and raised musically in New York City. Over a 30 year career, I have followed the belief that musical virtuosity is about playing what the music needs. From my root teachers Al Foster, Eddie Henderson, George Coleman, Lee Konitz, Clifford Jordan, Lew Tabakin, Joe Williams, Norman Simmons, and Harold Mabern, I have soaked in the lessons of how to speak the language. I bring myself with open ears and heart, and my experiences with those masters, to the table when I play. Following in the footsteps of my mentors Rufus Reid and Todd Coolman I became an active educator and advocate, teaching workshops around the world. I am currently teaching in Maastricht at the Conservatory of Music. I was Professor at SUNY Purchase College, and The New School University, and guest Professor of Kontrabaß at the Jazz Institut Berlin.
