DRS Music: Chicago Wedding band winners of National Award for Chicago Wedding Band performances.

I was born in 1967 on the North Side of Chicago during the biggest snow storm in Chicago history. Living in the city was great for a little kid. Since we lived behind Wrigley Field, I knew I would be a life long Cubs fan. My brother, Howard, our parents, and I would go to games whenever we could.

  We moved out to Elk Grove Village where I went to Junior high and High School. I started out playing the violin in 4th grade. Going into Junior High with wiry hair, braces and pimples while playing the violin was quite a package.

In order to meet girls, I switched to Bass in 6th grade. I've been playing ever since. I was selected to the All- State Jazz band in High School. My parents were so proud!

    I went to a music camp called Birch Creek in Door County Wisconsin for 7 summers in a row. It was an incredible learning experience studying with some of the top professionals from around the country. I ended up teaching there my last 2 years.

After graduating from Elk Grove High School in 1985, I went to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. I majored in Music and Communications. I had many incredible experiences performing both classical and jazz music. After my scholarships ran out, I put myself through college with the David Rothstein Trio. That hard work taught me a great deal about what it took to be a successful band leader.

During the summers, I performed at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan. We played 7 days a week for 6 hours a night. I got a huge amount of experience during that time. I would play bass with the Jazz Trio, 6 and 15-Piece Orchestra.

Once I graduated, I moved to Miami where I started a program for inner city high school students called MAJEC (Miami Area Jazz Education Club). Amazing Jazz musicians from University of Miami would join me at the various schools on Saturday mornings. We would perform and I would teach them about how music really works. At the end kids got to play with us. I paid the musicians, bought donuts out of my own pocket. It was featured in The Miami Herald. Another musician has since taken over the program and it continues to this day. It was a great experience.

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I toured internationally with Glen Miller and Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. I've also performed performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center as well as 23 countries. I've really enjoyed meeting so many amazing people and worked with so many incredible musicians!

Currently, I live on the north side of Chicago at Belmont and Damen. Some of my favorite hobbies are photography, working out, bike riding, traveling, movies and reading biographies.

I have a very friendly puppy named Goldie who would love to meet you!