Smooth Artist Interviews
The advice I would give is the same advice and encouragement that I wish someone would have given me when I was younger. Specifically, in addition to practicing hard and becoming proficient on their instrument(s), I would recommend building the self-confidence to put yourself “out there” and be outgoing, despite the internal voice that says “I’m not good enough yet”. Also, learn everything you can about digital marketing and spend as much time self-marketing as you do practicing, recording and performing.
In addition to several Christian charities and missions, I really like to support Smile Train. There are thousands of children born with cleft palate and other facial deformities through no fault of their own. Without the relatively easy surgeries that Smile Train provides, these kids would have a very difficult life, with difficulties eating, speaking, and of course being ostracized by society. I found out about this charity from my sister, who spent her entire career as a Speech Therapist.
Within the next 5-10 years, my goal is to be a full-time jazz musician who tours the world and shares the stage and studio with the other elite artists and producers I look up to (namely, the household names in Smooth Jazz!).
I started playing piano at age 6 or 7, and then started on saxophone at age 10. When I was in about 9th grade, I decided I wanted to be a rock star! I joined a rock band in college and we wrote and recorded our own music over a 20-year span, but we all had day jobs, too. I always pined to go after music full-time and be a recording and touring group. After the band days ended, I got serious in 2004 about writing and recording my own material. In 2016, I decided to devote my attention exclusively to the Smooth Jazz realm and have been working on establishing a solo career ever since.
Exercise! In addition to music, I was an athlete in college and I’ve been active my entire life. I’m an avid cyclist and I’ve done a number of triathlons, marathons and organized bike races and events, the longest of which was 210 miles in one day. I love to ride my bike and go fast!
I’ve dabbled on guitar, bass guitar, clarinet and flute and I’d love to have time to become proficient on guitar and bass just to help me in my song writing process. I’d also love to learn how to play drums for the same reason. But to be honest, I feel like I need to get much better on my main instruments, which are saxophone and piano!