I am a musician who has resided in Brooklyn since 2008. I play drum set and focus on live performance, studio production and teaching. Since relocating to NYC I’ve played at dozens of venues around town including The Blue Note, Lincoln Center, The Opry City Stage, Rockwood Music Hall, City Winery, Joe’s Pub and many others including ongoing residencies at East Village Social, Red Lion and Skinny Dennis. I’ve travelled extensively for music, organizing tours around the States, a stint in Nice, France, and multiple excursions to the Caribbean.

I grew up in Grand Rapids, MI, where I had the great fortune to study with widely revered teachers in my formative years including Rupert Kettle, Tim Froncek and Derico Watson. I completed my senior year of high school at the world renown Interlochen Arts Academy and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in jazz studies at Western Michigan University. During my time in college I had the honor of studying with drumming legend Billy Hart as well as Judy Moonert and Keith Hall. Playing in all the large jazz ensembles at WMU, collaborating with the creative community of students and faculty there as well as working steadily around West Michigan with such mentors as Shawn “Thunder” Wallace were incredibly instructive experiences. After school I embarked on the high seas with Carnival Cruises playing jazz 6 nights a week for 5 months before relocating to NYC.

My focus remains on playing music live as well as studio production, specifically regarding drums. I’ve had the pleasure of working in the studio with such talents as John Medeski, Jonathan Jetter and Kahan James, and currently have been applying these experiences to work in my own home studio with close collaborator/producer Amos Rose. About 6 years ago my work with songwriter Dru Cutler led me to assist in the creation and growth of Unit J which has since become a popular underground music scene and hub for NYC creatives of all stripes.

I know I’ve done my job when a song can inspire someone to dance, feel more serene, bring a tear to the eye, or be filled with excitement and wonder. The projects I’m involved with are committed to providing people with an unforgettably good time and making new songs that enrich the spirit and excite the mind. One of my biggest strengths as an instrumentalist is versatility, having performed and recorded with dozens of groups across many genres including straight-ahead jazz, indie singer/songwriter, funk/soul bands, punk rock, bluegrass/country, experimental improvised music, pit orchestras, pop production shows, etc. This allows me to bring to the table a broad range of experience, insight and flexibility. Like Billy Hart said, (paraphrasing), “bring a rock drummer attitude to the jazz gig, and a jazz attitude to the rock gig.”

My goal is to continue performing live for as many people as possible, continue writing and recording original music with friends and collaborators and to continue to explore and grow as a drummer and business partner. A life in music is it’s own reward. Music is one of humanity’s oldest art forms/cultural traditions/modes of communication, and I believe it is more central to one’s health and humanity than most people realize. It is a joy and privilege to participate in music and inspire our deepest impulses to move to the groove!