Where did you grow up? Did you grow up around music/jazz? Do you have any familial experiences with music?
"I grew up in Hartford, Connecticut. There was a strong music scene and I took to music at a very young age. I was raised in a musical household. My mother is a classical singer. My father, while not a musician, always played various music and was interested in jazz. I started playing gigs in high school. I played many music styles in various venues: barn shows, basement shows, dive bars, restaurants, cafes, etc. It was more of a blend of rock, funk, and jazz - because my jazz playing didn't really come together until after I left town. Hartford has always been home to many great musicians and many different programs for students to get involved in. There is also a strong sense of mentorship and older musicians looking out for younger ones. I had several mentors, specifically Paul Brown and Dezron Douglas who took me under their wings. "
Did you ever have a particular light bulb moment when you realized you would be a full-time musician?
“For me, there was never really a plan B besides music. I wasn't a standout student or athlete. I spent most of my free time in the band room, playing music with friends or practicing at home. It became clear in high school that this was what I would do as a career. There were a few gigs I played in high school where I started to experience joy or had some transcending experience where I realized playing music gave me something that I couldn't find elsewhere."
You moved to NYC in 2010 - what was the motivation? You have also played extensively throughout Europe and America - How would you compare the NYC jazz scene to other places you have played?
“I made the move to NYC in 2010. I felt like I had 'done' the Boston thing. I had played at Wally's numerous times as well as a bunch of other great venues there with a lot of great Boston cats. I was ready for something new and to be pushed into a bigger market. Around that time there was a mass migration of jazz musicians from Boston to Brooklyn. So I knew of many people who had made the move. I wanted to find 'my' people to a larger extent and just play. It was definitely 'butt-kicking' for the first few years. In some ways I feel like I'm just settling into the scene here, in other ways, I'm starting to feel more like a veteran.
Playing throughout Europe and the US has led to the realization that there are serious musicians everywhere, however; NOTHING compares to NYC. The swing feel here has its own energy- it's more driving, has more edge, and more bite. That transcends into other aspects of the music. Cats are doing a lot of really creative and great things elsewhere in the world, pushing the music forward in their own ways. But NYC has a specific vibe and for me and many like-minded musicians, that vibe is addictive.”
Your album, 'Visions of Phaedrus' was released in 2022. How did you find putting together your debut album? Do you have any other recordings on the horizon?
“Releasing my first album, 'Visions of Phaedrus' was long overdue. Before the pandemic, I was too caught up in being a sideman to really find the wherewithal to be a leader. Then, with the arrival of lots of free time, I was able to put together the project. I had some great cats in my neighborhood who I workshoped the tunes with during weekly sessions. Also, because of the general lack of work, I was able to put together a cast of A-list musicians for the recording. I will be recording my second album in January of 2025. I feel like I have a collection of compositions that have evolved out of VOP and are ready to be showcased. I'm also working with some amazing people and musicians so this next one will be very special.”
You have been a KEYED UP! regular at Diwine Bar on Thursday nights for a while now. How did that gig come about and what can we expect on Thursdays?
“I started playing at Diwine about six years ago. The gig was led by a great saxophonist and close friend of mine, Chris Beaudry. Diwine is a great wine bar with excellent food and good people - both staff and regulars. When the pandemic happened, the music stopped, Chris moved out of town and I happened to move very close to Diwine. We met with the owner and talked about handing the reins over to me, keeping the music going, getting KEYED UP! involved, etc. It's been an immense blessing, pleasure, and learning experience to present music there weekly. I've been able to develop musical relationships with a lot of tremendous musicians. What I've found is that typically - the better the musician, the more they appreciate the gig. It's very laid back and the folks that come and listen really appreciate live music. My sidemen and I have been able to find these really special places while playing standards where we're able to stretch and explore. Finding new textures and spaces and pushing the music forward, meanwhile, people are on blind dates and digging the music, etc. I've been very fortunate to have world-class musicians join me at Diwine weekly. So you can expect more of that. Troy Roberts, Bill Mchenry plays the gig when he's in town, Jerome Sabbagh is a regular. Alex Goodman, Joel Mateo, Eric Zolan, Leandro Pellegrino, Vinicius Gomes, Nathan Bellott, Vitor Goncalves, Mike Camacho, Rogerio Bocatto, Mariane Solivan, Aaron Seeber, Saul Rubin, Greg Glassman are all in circulation. Plus many many more.”
Anything else you want to promote?
I'd first like to promote Diwine! It's a gem of a place and a great hang. The wine is second to none and the food is amazing. The music programming reflects the sound of NYC jazz at the highest level.
I have a few fun gigs this summer - I played at the Newtown Spring Jazz Fest in Brooklyn in May and July 26th I'm leading a band at Smalls. The group features Seth Trachy, Willerm Delisfort and Jochen Rueckert. We’re playing some of my original material.
Thoughts about KEYED UP! and the promotion of jazz in general?
KEYED UP! is doing important, life-giving, amazing work. I'm grateful to be working with such kind, generous people. Through KEYED UP!, I have been able to give a good gig to dozens and dozens of musicians. This has had an enormously positive impact on the scene. Furthermore, I am but one of many gigs KEYED UP! is involved in - so the vast network of musicians who have benefited from KEYED UP! is immeasurable!
I teach a course at Syracuse University on jazz history so I have very specific thoughts on jazz, in general. This art form is a measure of the good and brilliant natures of our civilization. It is both the embodiment of how far the human mind can go and a form of expression in a pure state while being deeply intellectual in origin. It is stories of the Black experience in America while also being a social music. I'm honored that I get to play this music for my living.