An Evolving Bassist: I have been enjoying a musical journey as an evolving jazz bassist for over 30 years. I was mentored byTony Brzenski, the multi-talented musician who taught at Smethport High.  In college I was fortunate to work with Dr. Florentino Caimi -- a fine jazz bassist. I played for his Lock Haven University jazz ensemble for the eight semesters I was an undergraduate and he encouraged me to work harder to learn how to drive the tempo of a big band.

Big Band, Straight-ahead Jazz and Dixieland Collaborations: I have been enriched by musical collaborations with many fine musicians.  I was privileged to play some formative early gigs as the bassist for the former Glenn Miller Orchestra pianist Bill Rasey during his Bradford gigging days.  With the John Kytic Quartet, each gig was a master class served up by John and by Jack Wells. Jack is the most musical and tasteful drummer I even worked with -- and a true gentleman.  I enjoyed co-founding four jazz groups -- the JC Carter Quintet, the Pitt-Bradford Jazz Ensemble (dir. by Dr. Bill Stowman), the James Ronan Group and the SUNY Utica Jazz Ensemble (dir. by Rick Montalbano).  See James Ronan's new solo projects along with his work with Jazzabilly to follow this talented jazz guitarist's great work.  I also played with the famed Blue Royals Dixieland Band led by trombonist Jack Brocious (former high scoring basketball star at Floyd Fretz) and the trumpet tones and comedy stylings of Dr. William Stowman.   During my time in Barneveld, NY, I enjoyed time playing with the Skylarks big band (dir. by the late Dr. John Humphrey), the Otsego Valley Dixieland Band (dir. by saxophonist Bob Arnell), and with the Monk Rowe Trio. 

These days, I perform with the Gordon Law Quintet (Gordon Law, Darrin Thornton, Jim Chapman, Marty Gillespie), bringing Mr. Law's brilliant and extensive original jazz compositions to light.  We also perform jazz standards and straight-ahead jazz in the Gordon Law Trio ( with saxophonist Marty Gillespie).

I am also enjoying playing bass in the rhythm section for the Slide Zone, a trombone quintet featuring the talented composer and trombonist Jay Vonada as well as Corey Wallace, a young trombonist with great jazz chops. Mike Loewen is bass trombonist in the  group and Dave Preister and Mike Bruster round out the trombone section. On piano is Adam Kurland with Carl Pillot ably working his drum set.

Musical Theatre:   In addition to jazz performance, I also have enjoyed playing bass in a number of pit orchestras supporting a musical theatre cast.  While at Kutztown University, I played bass for productions of Finian's Rainbow, Sweet Charity and Pippin (my favorite bass chart for a musicial).  Locally in Centre County, I have perfomed with orchestras at Penns Valley High School in the producutions of Kiss Me Kate, Cinderella and the Pirates of Penzance.  At the Boal Barn Theatre, I played in the orchestra for the State College Community Theatre productions of Fiddler on the Roof (w/ musical director Russell Bloom) and Kiss Me Kate (mus. dir. by Jo Henry).

Other Music:  I enjoyed two stints gigging with rock and roll bands -- Sojoun in Indiana, PA (with Gary Guth on guitar/violin) and Rapid Transit in Bradford.  Rapid Transit featured Jeff Sherwin (drums/vocals), Ron Wood (keyboard/vocals) and James Ronan (guitar/vocals).  Jeff Sherwin is a talented vocalist and rock-solid drummer-- anyone from back in the day who heard him sing Chicago tunes knows this.    One of my all-time favorite musicians (and people) is Victoria Stockton Allen, the music director at the First Presbyterian Church in Holland Patent, NY.  I enjoyed playing bass during several of her creative musical perfornaces and trombone with her sunrise service group outside the church on Easter mornings.  I also played trombone for two enjoyable summers with the famed Floyd Community Instrumental Ensemble at concerts throughout the beautiful Adirondacks.

Penn State's Jazz Club   

An amazing gathering of jazz legends

Legendary jazz composer/bassist Mr. Charles Mingus