~ Vibraphone ~
I am primarily a jazz vibraphonist,
playing both 2 and 4 mallet styles. My musical interests however, have led me
to explore many non-jazz contexts. These include Latin (mostly Salsa and
Brazilian Samba and Bossa Nova), Klezmer, Classical, Middle Eastern, East
European, and folk songs from various Countries.
My skills include soloing /comping /and
strong reading.
My vibes are acoustic, but also are equipped
with a pickup system that enables me to play through an amplifier with effects
that include looping, flange, and chorus.
I studied vibraphone at the Berklee
College of Music in Boston, under the tutelage of Ed Saindon, Victor Mendoza,
and Dean Anderson and also got to perform in a top level student ensemble,
under the direction of visiting artist, David Friedman, playing one of David’s
original compositions.
~ Electronic Mallet
Instrument ~
In addition to the
vibes and a real, acoustic marimba (which only travels on special occasions
like concerts), I also play the electric mallet instrument called the
MalletKat.
The
MalletKat gives me a full complement of acoustic percussion instruments, plus
all the mallet instruments: Vibes – Marimba – Xylophone even Steel Drums! I can also use it to play Bass, Piano, and
other standard keyboard sounds.
Onboard
effects include looping, delay, flange & chorus. To listen to some tracks
of me performing an electronic “one man band”, go to the Music Samples page and click on any of the examples at the
top of the page.