Musical Biography & Education- 

I was introduced to the vibraphone at the age of ten by my father. He had seen local dance band leader Roy Kennelly (owner of Kennelly Keys Music) performing on the vibraphone and was intrigued by the instrument. I began private lessons with Roy and enjoyed a long friendship with the local music store owner.

My first exposure to Jazz was in Junior High stage band. We were directed by a young up and coming educator who became a nationally known expert in Jazz Band theory, Mr. Hal "Dr. Jazz" Sherman. That experience and his influence affects my musical style to this day.

By age 13 as a member of a quartet playing top 40 dance music I was performing weekends at private parties, community halls, military clubs and television events. Over the next six years I learned many of the ins and outs relating to performing on stage but the musical experience became less and less fulfilling.

Life Changing Experience:
Moving to Portland Oregon and attending Mt. Hood Community college was a wonderful experience, there the combination of a great jazz music department and regional draw of talented young musicians opened my eyes and the door to improvisational soloing. The life changing event happened during a short but intense week of summer instructional sessions with renowned vibest Gary Burton. While Gary's unique and revolutionary mallet technique was impressive, the greater experience by far, was his ability to inspire me to see for the first time the unlimited musical possibilities of a seemingly limited percussive instrument.

In the late 1970's I attended Western Washington University graduation with a BA in Music Education and a BA in Music Performance. While at Western I had the great privilege to know and perform with many outstanding musicians, including Marc Seals, Scott Reeves, Dave Peterson, Doug Ostgard, Rich Cole, Moyes Lucas Jr. Cary Black, Michael Powers and Milo Petersen. 

More recently while sitting in around Seattle I've had the good fortune to play with Darin Clendenin, Clipper Anderson, Mark Ivester, Eric Verlinde, Josh Rowlings and Evan Flory-Barnes, Chuck Kistler, Jeff Johnson, Brad Buck, Mark Lewis, Danny Kolke and Greg Williamson. 

An early paid event, age 12 (or so)

"Four of a Kind" my first pro look at age 13

Pioneer Square Tavern circa 1980

Myself, Chuck Kistler, Milo Petersen