Seven Questions

1)  How old were you when you first performed in front of an audience (beyond your family) and what did you play/sing?

My fifth grade graduation , I had a solo from the song “For you I will” by Monica.

2)  What would you want to be if you weren’t a musician?

 I  would be a psychologist.

3)  You are a musician, is there another art in which you’d like to be accomplished?

I enjoy so many forms of art , if I could refine a skill it would be painting.

4)  What quality do you like least about yourself?

I am an artist and I am an only child . therefore I am moody – but I suppose that makes me good at my job.

5)  What is your favorite non-musical pastime?

Cooking, I absolutely love to cook , and I love watching friends and family enjoy what I make.

6) If you were about to have your last meal what would it be?

Wow. Tough one. A small croc of  Mac and Cheese (done correctly), plantain chips, Foie Gras & French toast from Le Express On Park Ave paired with a Laphroaig 18 on one big Rock , water with lemon,  and 2 – warm crisp on the edges gooey in the center chocolate chip cookies.

7) What non-living musician has inspired you most?

Nina Simone. I appreciated her honesty and could truly hear her emotions through her music. I like to say I could hear the face she was making when she sang. I also once danced with someone during rainstorm to her version of the song “I loves you Porgy” – it was surreal like a scene from a movie, so that pretty much sealed the deal for me.

Plus One – When did you know you wanted a career as a musician?

On my 26th birthday. We have a very good friend of my family’s – an artist named Johnny Cobbs – I went to him when I was 21 and said- “John I’m so confused I don’t know what path is right for me , I don’t know what my passion is..”  He answered  “When you’re 26 , you’ll know.” And sure enough on my 26th birthday I ended up at a small jazz club in China Town,  friends of mine were on stage and invited me up to sing. I hit the stage with an Etta James tune and it was like a light bulb went off. While I was on stage I literally had the thought ” oh ok this is what I’m supposed to be doing.” That started the process.  

1)  What instrument would you like to be able to play?

Honestly, I would love to be able to play all the rhythm section instruments..(bass, piano guitar, mallets.)

2)   What’s your favorite non-jazz tune?

 It’s too difficult for me to choose one. I have so many favorite tunes of all genres for different reasons.

3) What would you want to be if you weren’t a musician?

 I’m not exactly sure. Perhaps, a career or trade that I could earn a consistently decent wage.( Pharmacist or Plumber)are good examples

4)     What would you NOT want to be?

A policeman. It’s very dangerous, particularly during these times.

5)    If you were about to have your last meal, what would it be?

A very good super thin crust Pizza Margherita.. I’ve always been a connoisseur of pizza, and spent a lot of time in Italy. . If there was one type of food I could everyday, it would be a thin crispy pizza!

6)  What’s your favorite non-musical pastime?

I’m not sure if I’m answering the question correctly, but I’ll say going on family vacations as a child. I’m the youngest of six children and we’re a close family. The older I get, I truly realize how much I cherish those time we’ve shared. That’s something not to be taken for granted.

7)  What’s the last book you read?

 The Bible..

1. Other than the instrument you play, what’s your favorite instrument to listen to?     
Well it’s funny, because these days I don’t listen to many recordings of B3 Organ players. Not because there aren’t great recordings out there, or I don’t love them, it’s more because I am trying to adapt the techniques or inflections of other instruments into my concept of Jazz Organ. For example the way a saxophone, trumpet or even piano (which, conceptually is VERY different than organ) would approach improvisation differently than an organist might. So by constantly listening to different approaches and instruments, I am learning different ideas. The short answer to your question would be saxophone. 

 2. If you were about to have your last meal, what would it be?  Wow, what a question… I think since I of course love Italian food, it would have to be my mother’s lasagna. 

3. How old were you when you first played in front of an audience (beyond your family)–and do you remember what you played ? 
I was either 9 or 10.  I played an anniversary party with my Farfisa organ and an old electronic drum machine. I come from a family of musicians, so I was exposed to a lot of dance band/club date music at a very young age. I don’t remember the exact songs, but I do remember them being of the old standards/big band vein. 

4. What’s your favorite city?
That is a difficult question for sure because since I travel so much, I have been to some pretty incredible places. In the United States it would probably be Chicago, outside the US it would be a tossup between Amalfi, Italy, Copenhagen and The Grand Canary Islands. 

5. What’s your favorite non-jazz tune? 
That is another tough one, there is so much great music out there. But for the moment “What Is Hip” – Tower of Power 

6. What’s your favorite non-musical pastime? 
I have always enjoyed working on electronics. Building and repairing tube based amplifiers and also working on Hammond Organs. Over the years I have put together quite a few custom digital organs, speakers, etc..All which I have used on gigs at one time or another.

7.What instrument would you like to be able to play? 
Drums. My father was a drummer, some of my closest friends are drummers. Playing the organ is like playing drums, so I guess it would be the next logical step.