| 1. At what age did you start playing guitar and when did you start playing jazz?
I started late, at age 18. I never actually got into playing "proper" jazz until about age 27, when I attended the Musicians Institute of Technology.
2. Which people influenced you as an improvising musician?
I've been influenced by almost everything I hear that I like. Lenny Breau, Kenny Burrell and Joe Pass are some of the musicians that I've really loved and have tried to emulate the spirit of their works.
3. Did you take guitar lessons when you were young?
I never took musicial lessons when I was young; it really wasn't until later on that I persued playing music seriously.
4. What do you listen to today?
Today, I listen to mostly "old school" works. I still absolutely love old Lenny Breau recordings. I'm always listening to Howard Roberts, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Joe Pass, Pat Metheny and Mark Whitfield.
5. What gear do you use?
I have a Washburn J9 and a Charvel Model 6 as my main guitars. I run them through a Line 6 guitar pod. I have a Marshal Park series amp and a Seymour Duncan 84-40 tube amp.
6. Do you get frustrated about your guitar playing sometimes? What aspects of guitar playing do you feel you need to improve on?
Yes, I get frustrated at times, but it's all part of the process. I guess I'm a bit of a perfectionist; I'm my own worst critic at times.
The one thing I'd like to improve upon is to discipline myself even further. I tend to pick up the guitar first thing and start going crazy when I really should concentrate on a slow, deliberate warm-up.
7. What is your practice routine like? How much time do you devote to studying music and guitar?
I try and practice a minimum of 2 hours a day. Sometimes I get free time and can devote as many as 6 hours a day.
8. Do you teach music? What do you hope a student gets out of your teachings, besides the obvious?
I haven't taught music for a while. When I do teach, I try and make my students feel that as long as they have the devotion, they will see results.
9. What are your favorite standards to play?
I love "Here's that rainy day" and "Beautiful Love". Sometimes I jam away to those tunes on my computer and the next thing you know, I've spent 2 hours playing the same song. Lots of fun!
10. Do you make a living as a professional musician? What did you have to do to make this work for you? What are the pros and cons of being a professional musician?
I consider myself a professional, although I do have a "day job" to fall back on. Jazz music doesn't bring in a lot of money, but that's okay with me because I absolutely love playing jazz. I don't have to compromise my integrity. The downside is that I'll never get rich from doing it (LOL).
11. What projects are you working on at the moment?
I'm working on my 2nd CD. This will be another solo-jazz guitar effort. I really think I've got some interesting ideas I've been incorporating into my playing.
12. Do you have any advice for beginning jazz guitarists?
My advice to a beginner is practice, practice, practice. Take things slowly and just build from there. Then, when you truly believe in yourself, get yourself out there!!.....then practice, practice, practice.
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