Yes ladies and gentleman I’m the new guy in the band. My interest in the saxophone goes way back to when I first heard Jr. Walker & The All Stars “What Does it Take” on the car AM radio. And a little later on when I heard Chicago’s first album (Chicago Transit Authority) I was hooked. Took up the tenor sax in 5th grade and haven’t set it down since. (well not exactly..I don’t sleep with it!)
I attended Cleveland State University studying saxophone with the amazing Howie Smith. Received my degree in Music Education but decided it was not what I wanted to do as a career. Over the years I’ve played in many bands and two of them really stand out. Dave C & The New Sharptones (1980’s Motown cover band). For those that don’t know the original Sharptones were the house band on WEWS The Big 5 Show & Upbeat back in the 1960’s. I learned a lot about attitude & showmanship from Dave C. (R.I.P Dave). The other band was Mr. Sensible (all original). Mr. Sensible was one of Cleveland’s most popular original bands in the late 1980’s/early 1990’s. We were a staple at Peabody’s Downunder and thanks to Dewey Forward & Michael Belkin played some big shows sharing the stage with Toto, Taylor Dayne, The Jets, and wouldn’t you know it a few shows with Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes at Nautica! (the Southside Johnny shows, one with Jon Bon Jovi on guitar, did impress my then girlfriend and now wife).
Fast forward some years and I’m playing in high society private occasion bands (yeah you’re right… wedding bands!) playing all over Ohio. Nice paydays though. During this time I’ve also been fortunate to perform with some national recording acts including: Little Anthony & The Imperials, Jay & The Americans, Gary U.S. Bonds, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Sonny Geraci, Gene Chandler, Spencer Davis & The Buckinghams. I still perform with The Buckinghams (remember Kind of a Drag, Don’t You Care?, Mercy Mercy Mercy) on their Midwest regional dates each year.
I live in the suburbs more specifically Strongsville with my beautiful wife Hollie and awesome twin daughters Cassie & Victoria. My day job is owner/manager of a real estate title information company.