MUSICIAN SPOT LIGHT

1) How old were you and what was your first musical experience that made you know

you want to pursue music?

"I must have been in 1st grade, and saw the Rogers High School Band come perform in

our gym at Sunrise Elementary School. I had no doubt in my mind that I wanted to be a

part of that someday. I joined band in 5th grade, kept playing and practicing through

college, and the rest is history!

2) When & where were your biggest musical learning points?

"I lost a chair test in junior high fair and square, and decided that I needed to get serious and practice...never lost a chair test again. I struggled with staying calm and working through frustration while practicing, and even dented my instrument once. I was lucky it wasn't returned to the music store! Eventually, I had a lot of success, twice placing first on alto saxophone at the State Solo Contest as a high school student, and winning concerto competitions at UPS and WWU."

3) Who was your biggest musical influence?

"I was fortunate to have a lot of really wonderful teachers. I can't say enough about the impact they have had on me as a person and musician. My band directors Tom Anderson and Greg Goss were extremely influential, as well as private saxophone teachers: Dick Graham, Sheryl Clark, Roger Stemen, and Tracy Knoop. I was lucky to have Bob Musser as both my band director AND saxophone teacher over four years at UPS. Dr. David Wallace and Vancouver saxophonist Julia Nolan were significant influences during my time in Bellingham. I also listened to a lot of great jazz artists during that time, which had a lasting influence on my sound in this group: Johnny Hodges, Charlie "Bird" Parker and Paul Desmond on alto, and Dexter Gordon, Oliver Nelson, and David "Fathead" Newman on tenor."

4) Tell us about your first concert you ever went to?

"Dare I say it? I went to hear Kenny G at the Tacoma Dome. Love him or hate him, his sound was all over the radio when I was growing up. I had two of his hit albums on cassette tape--he was undoubtedly an influence on my playing."

5) Tell us something musically about you that most people may not know?

I" took my saxophone with me to Nepal during my Peace Corps service. I played with the locals in a blues bar in Kathmandu, the capital city, whenever I passed through for trainings, conferences, etc. I also picked up the basuri (bamboo flute) and learned to play several Nepali folk songs. One of the boys in the village even made me one! It was beneficial to branch out and learn the music of another culture. Nepali music has a lot of nuance and ornamentation that connoisseurs of both Baroque and pop music would appreciate! I'm returning next winter after 25 years."

6) When you're not playing music, what are some of your favorite pastimes and/or hobbies?

"I'm active with environmental work, and collaborate with activists and officials around Pierce County to protect and restore habitat, protect farmland and shorelines, etc. I also take pride in my garden at home, and have come to enjoy all kinds of word puzzles and board games. I'm also developing my electrical skills and knowledge when I have time."

7) Tell us about a favorite gig, or favorite story about being on the road or gigging?

"I once rescued my friend from a confrontation at a bar in Abbotsford, BC while I was in my boxer shorts. He was getting into trouble and I didn't have time to put pants on so I raced out of the hotel and brought him back to his room."

8) What's your favorite thing about playing with The "B" Street Brass?

"It's exactly the musical outlet that I've needed. I typically perform a lot of "classical" saxophone music in concert bands, saxophone ensembles, solo literature, etc. Playing with the "B" Street Brass lets me cut loose, rock out, and improvise."

9) Who's your favorite pro band or musical artist?

"I have a lot of favorites and it really depends on my mood and state of mind. I will say that great artists like Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, Chicago, Tower of Power inspire my sound while I perform with the "B" Street Brass."

10) Bob Dylan, fan or not a fan?

"My 6th grade teacher had Bob Dylan playing on his stereo when I popped in to see him after school one time. It sounded really weird to me, and I asked him what it was and why on Earth he liked it so much. While I've grown to like it more over the years, I can't honestly say that I'm a true fan."