| Musical Education |
| 1966 through 1971 |
Percussionist, San Jose Rebels.
Studied and performed 3-4 days per weeks under the direction of Don
Caldwell. Performed throughout California and were State Champions,
Junior Division Marching Bands 69'-71'. Under Mr. Caldwell's direction
I was the first drummer statewide to both play triple toms and
incorporate African rhythms in the junior division.
Traps Drummer, The Worms.
Played rock n' roll traps with power rock trios and quartets featuring
work of The Cream, Santana, The Beatles, Iron Butterfly, etc. Notable
gigs included numerous school dances and the Los Gatos Moose Lodge 1971
through 1975 Keyboardist, Saratoga High School Music, Theatre And Dance
Departments. Studied classical piano with Kenneth Jewell and Jazz piano
with Rob Marconi. Was much-in-demand accompanist and composer for
numerous school bands, theater and dance productions. |
| 1975 through 1976 |
Accompanist, actor, multi-instrumentalist, West Valley Junior College, Music and Dance Departments.
Performed in numerous college productions both as actor and musician.
Played alto, bass, and contra-bass recorders and did extensive
composing and arranging for a twenty-five piece renaissance music
ensemble. Performed regularly in jazz combos and casuals bands. |
| January, 1976 to August, 1978 |
Jazz Pianist/Percussionist, U. C. Berkeley.
Played conventional through free jazz throughout U.C. Berkeley programs
in such groups as the Hadley Combo and The Revolutionary Army of the
Infant Jesus. ( Members of the Hadley Combo went on to form such
notable Bay Area World Beat Bands as Big City, Mapenzi and the Beat
Freaks.) Also played Gamemlas (traditional Ghanian bell ensembles) for
student protest groups. |
| Significant Professional Engagements |
| African |
| January, 1976 to August, 1978 |
Percussionist, C.K. Ladzepko and the African Music and Dance Ensemble.
Played gankoqui, agogo and axaste with professional Ghanian music and
Dance ensemble. Work included approximately 3 rehearsals and dance
classes per week for two years period. Notable performances included
Calvin Simmons Theatre 4/78 and Zellerbach Hall 6/3/78. |
| 1981 through 1989 |
Percussionist, Ngoma BaKongo.
Performed and taught traditional Congolese drumming in a variety of
contexts under the Direction of Jean Louis Mbemba Pangou. Also did
numerous performances with Members of Fua Dia Congo, including Malonga
Caskelourde, Sandor Diabankwesi and Titos Sompa. Was granted junior
staff post at annual Congolese Drumming and Dance camp in Nevada City
California. |
| 1986 through 1987 |
Keyboardist/Percussionist, Samba Ngo.
Played synthesizers and percussion in modern Congolese style dance band
led by Samba Ngo, noted Congolese master guitarist. Gigs ranged
throughout California. |
| 1987 through 1988 |
Accompanist, Sandor Diabankwesi Les Bantu Congolese Dance Company.
Accompanied traditional Congolese dance ensemble under the direction of
Sandor Diabankwesi. Performances included Pena Moai, S.F. State and
other Bay Area venues. |
| 1989 |
Keyboardist, Percussionist, Marimbaist, Prince Johnny Haastrup and O'Sha.
Played synthesizers and percussion in modern West African style dance
band led by Prince Johnny Haastrup, noted Ghanian master percussionist.
Other members included most of the leading West African percussionists
in the Bay Area. Notable performances included the annual "Africans are
Coming" festival at Calvin Simmons Theatre. I also sat in on several
performances with the noted Ghanian ensemble Hedzoleh Soundz. |
| 1988 through 1991 |
Accompanist, Abdulai Diakite Ceedo Senegalese Dance Company.
Accompanied traditional Senegalese dance ensemble under the direction
of Senegalese Master drummer Abdulai. Played Djembe and Djun Djun.
Performances included Malcom X Community Theatre, San Francisco. |
| 1993 through 1995 |
Keyboardist, Percussionist, African Rain.
Played multiple synthesizers and percussion in modern Afro-Pop style
10-piece dance band. Performances ranged throughout Northern California
and included performances with Baba Olatunji. |
| 1995 through present |
Keyboardist, Spear, South African Dance Band.
Played Keyboards with innovative South African Dance band under the
direction of Rondo Van Lewarde, and including most former members of
Zulu Spear. Performances included venues throughout California and
Arizona. |
| 1990 through present |
Pianist/Percussionist, Kombo Kwela, South African Jive Jazz Band.
Played piano and percussion in an eight-piece South African style
ensemble performing primarily the work of various South African
composers in the Jive and Township Swing traditions, including Abdullah
Ibrahim (Dollar Brand) and Johnny Dyani. Notable performances include
multiple gigs at Yoshi's, Oakland. |
| Jazz |
| 1978 through 1979 |
Composer, Pianist and Percussionist, The Hadley Combo.
Composed, directed and played keyboards and percussion with U.C.
Berkeley based jazz combo. My original composition "Klautu Barada
Nikto" was nominated for best jazz composition at the PCCJF in 4/78 by
Keyboard Panelist Chair Mark Levine. |
| 1987 through 1989 |
Keyboardist, Percussionist, Vibraphonist, The Kromatics.
Played multiple keyboards, congas, timbales, bongo and vibes with Bay
Area based jazz fusion ensemble. Our 1989 demo tape won us recognition
as "Best Unsigned Jazz Fusion Band", in Musician Magazine. |
| 1988 through 1992 |
Keyboardist/Percussionist, Pete Cornell Ensemble.
Played piano, synthesizers and percussion in Bay Area based jazz and
Latin jazz ensemble lead by Pete Cornell. Material included both
traditional and original repertoire, with an emphasis on both swing and
Latin styles. |
| 1991 through 1992 |
Keyboardist/Percussionist, HerAfterFive.
Played acoustic piano in traditional swing jazz quartet led by vocalist
Sandra Rae Ramos. Although the ensemble was billed as all-female, I was
the honorary male member. |
| 1992 through present |
Composer, Pianist and Percussionist, Bridges.
My current jazz ensemble, features both traditional and original
material in a variety of orchestrations, most often featuring both
vocals and Latin percussion. Performances have included everything from
solo piano work throughout the Bay Area, to numerous gigs at the
Academy of sciences, the Mill Valley Film Festival, etc. |
| Latin & Afro-Caribbean |
| 1989 |
Keyboardist/Percussionist, Lichi Fuentes and Friends.
Played piano, synthesizers and percussion in "Nuevo Cancion" style
South American band led by Lichi Fuentes, noted Chilean
singer/songwriter and founder of Altazor. Material included both
traditional and original styles. |
| 1989 through present |
Director, "Los Bros" Rumba Ensemble.
Direct, arrange, sing and play all congas and percussion in traditional
style Cuban Rumba ensemble. Material includes both traditional and
original rumbas, in the Yambu, Guaguanco and Colombia styles, presented
with voice and percussion. |
| 1991 through 1992 |
Latin & Flamenco Accompanist, Isa Mura Y Grupo Utrera.
Accompanied well-established Bay Area Flamenco Dance Troupe under the
direction of Isa Mura. Work included novel percussion work in a "Nuevo
Flamenco" style. Performed throughout Northern California at such
venues as La Pena and the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival. |
| 1990 through 1995 |
Keyboardist/Percussionist, Salsa Tropical.
Played piano, synthesizers and percussion in 6 piece Salsa Ensemble led
by Carmen Cansino and Pete Cornell. Played various clubs and casuals
throughout Northern California. |
| 1994 |
Keyboardist, Cubanacan.
Played keyboard in Bay Area Salsa Ensemble led by Marcus Lopez.
Material included both traditional "salsa romantica " styles, as well
as cumbias and merengues. |
| 1995 through 1996 |
Keyboardist, The Franco Brothers Y Orchestra Actualidad.
Played piano and synthesizers in 11 piece Salsa Ensemble led by Carlos
and Bismark Franco. Material included primarily traditional "salsa
romantica " styles. |
| January 1995 through November 1996 |
Keyboardist/Arranger, Dr. Loco's Rockin' Jalapeno Band.
Played piano, synthesizers and percussion in eclectic "Chicano Roots"
style band led by the inimitable Dr. Jose Cuellar, noted Music and
Cultural Anthropologist and chair of the La Raza Studies Department
S.F. State University. Material included both traditional and original
styles and I did some minor arranging on the C.D. "Puro Party" (Flying
Fish Records 1995). Notable gigs included Great American Music Hall,
The Fillmore, Shoreline Amphitheatre and numerous tours throughout the
greater Los Angeles Area, Chicago, and a tour of Cuba in July of 1995. |
| 1997 |
Keyboardist, Malo, Bay Area Gigs.
Played keyboard in World Famous Chicano Rock Band. Material included
both traditional Latin styles, as well as classic band originals. |
| 2000 to present |
Keyboardist, Mazacote.
Play keyboard in leading Bay Area Salsa Ensemble led by Timbalero Luis
Romero. Material includes both traditional "salsa " styles, as well as
can emphasis on Latin Jazz and Descargas. |
| 2000 to present |
Keyboardist, Charanson.
Play keyboard in Bay Area Charanga/Danzon Ensemble led by Violinist
Antohony Blea. Material includes both traditional charangas and
Danzons, as well as band originals. |
| World Beat |
| 1985 through 1991 |
Composer, Director, Keyboardist, Percussionist, Beat Freaks.
Composed, directed and played keyboards, marimbas and percussion with
San Francisco based World Beat band Beat Freaks. Performed throughout
Northern California and did benefits for such groups as Greenpeace,
Oxfam International, The San Francisco Earthquake Emergency Relief Fund
and S.F. Nuclear Freeze. Worked with percussion masters Jean Louis
Mbemba Pangou and Paul Yukteswa Sonnebend. |
| 1992 through 1998 |
Keyboardist, Percussionist, Bob Culbertson Trio.
Play multiple keyboards, marimbas, vibes, djembe and Latin percussion
with innovative world beat trio led by renowned Chapman stick player
Bob Culbertson. Notable performances included Monterey Bay Aquarium,
S.F. Academy of Sciences and numerous Napa valley wine festivals. |
| 1992 through present |
Keyboardist, Flautist and Percussionist, "B2 " & "Bogo".
Played multiple keyboards, flute and recorder, marimbas, vibes, djembe
and Latin percussion with innovative world beat ensemble led by
renowned Harpist Boris Goldmund. Notable performances included Mill
Valley Film Festival, S.F. Academy of Sciences and Calvin Simmons
Theatre 4/78. |
| 1999 through present |
Keyboardist, Percussionist, Marimbaist Fantuzzi and the Flexibles.
Play multiple keyboards, marimbas, vibes, djembe and Latin percussion
with internationally reknown world beat Performer Fantuzzi. Notable
performances included Burning Man '99, The Non-Salon, Monterey
Fairgrounds, Tribal Stomp. |
| 1999 through present |
Multiple Percussionist, Ta-Ki-Te Rhythym Ensemble.
Play multiple percussion with other master percussionists in Percussion
Trio performing wide variety of percussion traditions from around the
world. |
| 1997 through present |
Multiple Instrumentalist, Emam and Friends.
Play multiple percussion and keyboards with other master international
performers, performing a wide variety of musical traditions from around
the world, led by Master Tabla Player Emam. |
| Brazilian |
| May 1982 |
Chefe do Surdu, Net Cadets, Carnival '82
. Played surdu, agogo and arranged for Carnival music and dance
ensemble under the direction of Eduardo Valentino. Notable performances
included San Francisco's Carnival celebration May 1982. |
| 1984 through 1985 |
Chefe do Agogo, Samba de Allegria.
Performed on a variety of samba instruments, primarily agogo, tamborin
and agogo with leading San Francisco samba batucada under the direction
of Marlene. Also arranged agogo parts for batucada. The ensemble did
numerous performances including Carnival 84' and 85'. |
| 1988 through 1990 |
Chefe do Agogo, Fogo Na Ropa.
Performed on a variety of samba instruments, composed and directed
agogo section with leading Bay Area samba batucada under the direction
of Carlos Acetuno. Also arranged agogo parts for batucada. The ensemble
did numerous performances including Carnival 88',89' and 90'. |
| 1986 through 1995 |
Director, Rainbow Renegades.
Directed, composed and arranged for a large samba batucada including 40
dancers. Styles included, African, Hip Hop, Afro-Cuban and Jazz, in
addition to the traditional Samba. The ensemble did numerous
performances including Carnival 86',87', 91', 92',93', and 94'. |
| 1996 |
Choral Director, Judith Justiz Y Gruopo Raices.
Directed, composed and arranged for a choral ensemble presenting
traditional Yoruba based Afro-Cuban songs in conjunction with Judith
Justiz, renowned Cuban dance instructor. |
| Classical |
| 1976 through 1977 |
Woodwind Multi-instrumentalist, West Valley Collegium Musicum.
Played all recorders, including sopranino, bass and contra-bass, in a
Renaisance and Baroque music ensemble. Arranged traditional and orginal
works for twenty member ensemble. Notable performances included San
Francisco's Carnival celebration May 1982. |
| Dance Accompaniment and Composition |
| 1976 through present |
Accompanist, Various Bay Area Dance Studios.
Accompanied a great many dance classes throughout the San Francisco/Bay
Area including ethnic, jazz and modern classes. Performed extensively
at Third Wave, Footworks, and many other studios for such teachers as
C. K. Ladzepko (Ghanian), Malonga Caskelourde and Titos Sompa
(Congolese), Abdulai Diakite (Senegalese), Blanche Brown (Haitian),
Bernard (Haitian), Marlene (Brazilian), Carlos Acetuna (Brazilian),
Judith Justiz (Afro-Cuban), Anna Celeste (Afro-Cuban), Lisa Berry (West
African). |
| January through March 1984 |
Composer and Band Leader, Story Theatre.
Composed complete score and conducted pit band for 2 hour theatrical
and dance presentation under the direction of Marcus Stern. The work
did an extended run at The Lab, San Francisco, and was well-received. |
| 1990 through 1995 |
Accompanist, Wilfred Mark Caribbean Dance.
Accompanied well-established Bay Area Caribbean Dance instructor
Wilfred Mark. Work included multi-intrument percussion work as well as
teaching Caribbean percussion workshops. Performed throughout Northern
California. |
| 1991 through 1992 |
Accompanist, Anna Halprin.
Accompanied well-established Bay Area Modern Dance/Movement workshops
under the direction of Anna Halprin. Work included novel dance work
incorporating inner spiritual and therapy concepts with movement. |
| February, 1992 |
Sound Technician, Rheinhard Flatischsler.
Provided sound and performed in workshops with noted Austrian
percussionist Rheinhard Flatischsler in his debut USA tour. His work,
known as "Take-Tina", incorporates diverse world percussion traditions
into a novel method. |
| January 1994 through present |
Modern Dance Accompanist/Composer, S.F. State University.
As staff accompanist for the modern dance department, I accompany a
wide variety of teachers classes and styles including modern, jazz and
ballet. I worked with Susie Whipp in composing an extended piece that
was well received at the annual Colorado Collegiate Dance Competition.
I also guest lectured "Music appreciation for Dancers" with Department
Chair, Dr. Duke, as well as accompanying ballet, African, and a special
six week intensive summer workshop with Dr. Albirda Rose and Alicia
Pierce on Dunham Technique and African Dance. I have accompanied
various African dance classes at S.F. State for many years. I also
accompanied noted choreographer Donald Byrd on his Master Classes in
1996 (and received tremendous praise from him for my "feeling and
passion"). |
| September 1996 through July 1997 |
Modern Dance Accompanist/Composer, California State University, Hayward.
As the staff accompanist for the modern dance department, I have
accompanied a variety of teachers and classes, including Modern and
African. |
| Teaching |
| 1978 through present |
Piano and Percussion teacher, Private.
I have twenty years of professional teaching experience throughout
Northern California, teaching keyboards (jazz, salsa, blues and rock)
and percussion (African and Latin). I emphasize theory and
improvisation. |
| 1988 |
Music and Percussion teacher, Oakland Parks and Recreation Department.
I taught music and percussion at Mosswood park in a program sponsored
by the City of Oakland. I taught numerous classes, including age groups
from 6 through fifteen years of age. |
| 1991 |
Staff Music teacher, Wavy Gravy's Camp Winnarainbow.
I taught music appreciation and percussion to a wide variety of
students at Wavy Gravy's unique summer camp - Camp Winarainbow. Also
accompanied visiting West African Dance Troupe. Summer program
culminated in a major performance. |
| 1992 through 1993 |
Staff Music teacher, P.A.P.P.A. Summer Program.
I taught music appreciation and percussion to a wide variety of
students at Palo Alto Parents for Performing Arts summer program. I
taught age groups 6 through 12. |
| 1985 through present |
Instrument Building and Repair , Private and Public Workshops.
I build and repair many instruments, including congas, Ngomas, Djembes,
Shekeres, Ho sho and Marimbas. I also teach workshops upon request.
Past workshops have included, Drum building techniques, Putting heads
on your drums, Shekere building, and Marimba Building. |
| January through June 1996 |
Modern Dance Accompanist/Lecturer, S.F. and Hayward State Universities.
As staff accompanist for the modern dance department at S.F. State , I
co-taught a class with Department Chair, Dr. Duke. presenting music and
rhythmic appreciation for dancers. I have presented similar lectures at
Hayward State. |
| Recordings and Videos |
| 1987 |
Beat Freaks
Demo recording for 8-piece world Beat Ensemble featured several of my
original compositions, sold many copies and received acclaim in world
beat circles |
| 1988 |
The Kromatics
Played multiple keyboards, congas, timbales, bongo and vibes on 1989
demo tape recognized as "Best Unsigned Jazz Fusion Band", in Musician
Magazine. |
| 1989 |
Onda,
Extended MTV style video with Beat Freaks. Filming included numerous
locations and recording studios over several month period. |
| 1995 |
Puro Party
CD for Flying Fish Records with Dr. Loco's Rockin' Jalapeno Band.
Played Piano, Hammond B3 organ, vibes, and multiple synthesizers. Did
minor arranging. |
| 1996 |
Marimba Pacifica,
Video recorded live at the Great American Music Hall on November 2,
1996, as part of the Encuntro Del Canto Popular. Features excerpts from
six songs as performed by my marimba ensemble. |
| 1997 |
Marimba Pacifica,
Upcoming CD (90% complete as of 12/96) features nine of my compositions
performed by my highly acclaimed marimba ensemble playing primarily on
instruments I have built. |
| 1999 |
Ancient Future,
2000 Release of new Cd "Asian DreamsZ" by this ineternationally
recognized original World Beat ensemble, led by Matthew Montfort |
| 1999 |
Fantuzzi,
2000 Release of new Cd "Fantuzzi 2000" by this ineternationally
recognized original World Beat performer Fantuzzi. On the CD I play
keuboards, marimbas, Djembe, vibes and assorted percussion. |
| Education |
|
A.A.
in Music and Political Science, West Valley Junior College 1976 B.A. in
International Relations with Honors, U.C.Berkeley 1978 J.D. U.C.
Hastings College of Law 1982, International Law Review, Public Interest
Cert. |