My first influences in this direction as a child were the big bands of Basie, Eckstine, Gillespie, Machito and Puente. Later, I had the good fortune of working with the orchestras of Sun Ra, Bill Dixon, Sam Rivers, Archie Shepp and the JCOA. The spiritual and psychological fulfillment resulting from re-establishing the relationship with the traditional ethos...serves chiefly as a balance between the inner-self and the environment.
My initial exposures to this area as a child were the prominent groups of Basie, Eckstine, Gillespie, Machito, and Puente. Later, I had the opportunity to collaborate with the orchestras of Sun Ra, Bill Dixon, Sam Rivers, Archie Shepp, and the JCOA. The spiritual and psychological fulfillment that resulted from re-establishing my connection with traditional norms...functions primarily as a balance between my inner essence and the external surroundings.