About Me

I left my home in Coconut Grove, Florida (Miami) with my Mother, Father and Aunt in the fall of 1956, headed for a new life in Alaska.

We drove the entire distance in my Aunt's brand new maroon 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-door sedan. She had lived and worked in Alaska, and had finally convinced my parents that there were tremendous opportunities and untold beauty in Alaska.

I've lived in Anchorage since September 5, 1956.

I entered 8th grade in Anchorage & graduated from Anchorage High School in 1961. After high school, I attended Berklee School of Music in Boston and studied drumming with Alan Dawson. I later attended Alaska Methodist University in Anchorage.

Yes, I was in Anchorage for the Good Friday earthquake in 1964 … downtown, two blocks from the fault line!

I married Patti on March 7, 1965 ... the smartest thing I’ve ever done. We have three grown children, a daughter and two sons. We also have three grandchildren, two grandsons and one granddaughter.

I have a tremendous passion for art, music (especially jazz), food, gardening, fly fishing, photography and travel.

I thoroughly enjoyed my nearly decade-long stint in jazz radio in the 70s-80s, as an announcer/producer, and in management at KJZZ-FM in Anchorage, Alaska's Jazz Giant.

I’ve been a professional drummer/percussionist for 50 years and a drum set teacher/clinician for over 25 years.