Congratulations on the release of “I Feel The Earth Move” how does it feel?
I’m stoked that this is out! The band and I put a ton of work into it and it’s time for it to be out there in the world.
It’s a track album of covers and originals what was the idea behind it?
This is a big band album. The first I’ve made. Most of my music consists of 5 players tops, but this one has trumpets, trombones, saxophones, a full rhythm section, myself, and a special guest or two. It consists of different songs I’ve re-arranged (The Way We Were, I Feel the Earth Move, etc) and my originals (Airport Codes, etc) but this time blown up for a large group. I wanted to do this because we have been playing this repertoire with colleges and high schools around the country with THEIR big bands. It was time to make an album of it to be used for years to come.
It’s recorded with your bigger than average big band what was it like putting it together?
Living in Austin, Texas now, I am surrounded by some of the best jazz musicians in the world. Trumpeter and arranger and friend of mine, Mike Sailors, is a band leader in the area. He sought out all the cats on the album. He knows all the good people in town. Everoyne adores and respects Mike. So putting the musicians in the same room with him wasn’t a problem. The only tricky part was finding dates everyone could be together at once to record! When you want the best musicians ever, they’re all busy. But we got it done! Phew!
Was there any particular song you would have liked to have covered that’s not on the album?
I wanted to get my big band arrangement of Louboutins on the album. That one’s a banger. But we could only fit so much into it. We’ll have to save it for Big Band album #2!
Tell us a funny story from the sessions.
We were working our butts off getting 10 songs done in two days when we realized we were starving. We passed around the phone from person to person to put in their Chipotle burrito orders. Instead of one of the musicians answering a musical question, he spouted off “beans, rice, steak, no cheese, guacamole…” and it was heard by everyone from the drum booth to the control room. Caused some confusion. And more hunger.
What’s your favourite track from it?
Mine is Airport Codes. It’s a song I wrote years ago that has become somewhat of the “most requested.” I had it arranged for rhythm section but couldn’t envision how it could sound with a full big band. I asked Mike to do that and man he nailed it. It’s not too much… not to little… just right. Took it to another level for me.
You’re a trombonist and singer from Washington how did it all begin for you?
I was constantly singing and attempting to emulate the singers my parents would play on the speakers: Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, etc. And it became apparent that I could
mimick them pretty well. I sang at church, auditioned for musical theatre, did shows
locally from about age 5, and never really looked back. I picked up a trombone at age
12 to join my school band and was taught jazz from the getgo. I began songwriting a
ton while I was a student at Berklee College of Music in Boston. After that, I won the
Montreux Jazz Festival voice competition in Switzerland, moved to Los Angeles,
began playing my own shows with my band around the world. It was rough! But I think it worked! I got the chance to tour with Postmodern Jukebox and Dave Koz extensively. I have them to thank for introducing me to their fans. What a ride.
What did you listen to growing up?
For jazz, mostly Ella Fitzgerald and… wait for it… big band music! I was exposed to Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Count Basie… very early on. This album is going back to my roots.
I also listened to some of the great songwriters from the 70s which helped shaped my writing.
Carole King and Billy Joel are standouts.
Your parents are both music teachers what was the biggest lesson you learned from them?
My parents were high school music teachers. My dad a trumpet player and my
mother a singer. They taught kids constantly at school, and then there were
teenagers coming into the house constantly to take private voice and piano lessons. I
learned music vicariously through this from age 0. They taught me music without actually sitting down and teaching it. It’s because of them I listened to the music I listed above.
More than music however, they taught me work ethic. And then more important than work ethic…they taught me to hold close to the ones I love. They modeled it.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Nickel Creek!
What’s next for you in 2025?
I am performing this very music with Big Bands around the country, which is what was intended with this album. Starting in St. Louis, MO, Austin, TX, Alabama, and more. I am so glad I finally have this album to bring along.
