About Me

While I in no way belong on this page other than as a webmaster, my background in jazz started as a drummer and my studies on the accordion began in Cleveland under the sensational classical accordionist Ed Cifani. He taught me basic accordion skills for the brief time I studied with him, but in my heart I was a drummer and I was jazz.

It wasn't until a few years later that I heard my first jazz accordionist in the flesh....Ronnie Moon. Suddenly I knew that what was in my head could be transformed onto the accordion. Through my studies with Ronnie, I learned all about harmony, block chords, bellow control, etc. He opened the world of jazz and classical accordion to me by introducing me to the sounds of Russ Messina, Angelo DiPippo, Vince Geraci, Dom Frontiere, Frank Marocco, and most importantly Jerry Cigler. Once I actually met and heard Jerry play, you could say I had a religious experience. He was and still is to this day, the greatest musician I have ever heard.

I moved to Chicago to study with Jerry and I am ashamed to say that I have let him down as many times as I could! I just don't have what it takes to prosper from our relationship musically, but his influence has helped me in every facet of my life. Along the way I've also been helped by Dick Contino, Angelo DiPippo, and Sam Incopero among others.