Piano Lessons in Chino Hills, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Saxophone Drums Mallet Percussion

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
I have written over 250 songs with lyrics, recorded several CD's of Jazz originals. I have composed music for film and tv. I compose Orchestral music. I love to write with electronic sound devices and use all of these styles to some degree as one. I spend most of my time improvising in the world of Jazz. But composing music is a great place because you can create sounds which ultimately defy categorization. I believe it is just as difficult to write a 3 chord song with a beautiful lyric as it is to play an uptempo be bop improvisation. Composing a one hour symphony takes a lot of time in some cases. But it does not mean the music is as good as a simple tune.

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I always played music since I was able to walk. As I learned about the business it became clear to me that the idea of making a living on music would be a challenge. I cannot compromise music so therefore being a professional is more difficult. I have played concerts where I have been paid 2,000 dollars for a 50 minute set and then I have played performances where the money was very little. Being a professional musician is a state of mind not just an income. The decision was only made by the love for music and the need to play it each and every day that I breathe.

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
NO My Father exposed me to music as a child. He listened to all the great music and I'm sure this had an indelible mark on my ears. I had to always make my own way in music as the family knew little about it and what it takes to dedicate oneself to an art form which is hard to make a living at. I know this is why I learned several things in order to survive. Learning several instruments has also been the product of no guidance and little encouragement. And for those reasons when I teach a child or an adult something about music which I see them get inspired about. I am happy.

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
When I went from drums to vibes it was to meet the requirement of the Berklee school of music. When I went from Vibes to piano it was to develop my understanding of harmony. Playing piano was the best move I made. Piano has all of the elements in both hands. I excelled at these 3 instruments to a high degree. The piano allowed me to compose for orchestra and to know more about the art of improvisation. From piano to song writing was a great move in order to understand the idea of less is more. And to learn more about the guitar. Playing the trumpet developed my phrasing. The trumpet is by far the most difficult instrument I've played. Now the tenor sax the new love of my life. It has it all and allows you to express many ideas, as well as sing. The reason I went from one instrument to the next is all about discovery and challenge. Making money had something to do with it as well. But not much.

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
I would be writing words as much as possible Learning to write perfectly and never compromising my thoughts to make money. Words have become stunted by the plethora of publishing opportunities for all. Poetry, plays have a special place in my mind. I like the writings of E>E> Cummings. Walt Whitman, W. B. Yeats, T. S. Eliot, Langston Hughes, Rainer Maria Rilke. I love the writings of James Baldwin, Marcel Proust, James Joyce, Edgar Allen Poe, Franz Kafka, Virginia Wolf, Vladimir Nabakov. These minds keep me going.

What is your dream piece to perform and why?
If I could conduct Stravinsky';s The Rite of spring, I would be excited for sure. The music he composed was and is so timeless and so emotional, it inspires me every time I listen. This music has been my driving force for composing full Orchestral pieces. I do not emulate the sound but I have studied the orchestrations at length. The music of Debussy is also a favorite of mine. Performing a slow blues has always inspired me Playing drums in a big band is quite exhilarating. If I could sing in a gospel choir with Mahalia Jackson out front I would never need to do another musical thing in my life. She was pure music.

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