Current Bands
Jazz Combos
I'm privileged to play with some of Michigan's finest musicians in jazz trios, quartets, and quintets. And when I'm not playing an actual gig, you can often find me at one of the weekly jam sessions in Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Kalamazoo that attract some of the area's best players. More...
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Big Bands
West Michigan is home to several outstanding big bands whose styles range from 1940's swing tunes to more contemporary jazz arrangements. I've had the privilege of playing with the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, River City Jazz Ensemble, Truth in Jazz Orchestra, and Big Band Nouveau. More...
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Beer City Saxes
The Beer City Saxophone Ensemble combines aspects of a jazz combo and a big band in one exceptional group. The band plays arrangements for between 4 and 7 saxes plus a three piece rhythm section. The repertoire ranges from traditional swing tunes to more contemporary compositions. More...
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Roger MacNaughton
Roger MacNaughton is a talented local composer, arranger, and pianist. It has been my privilege to play a variety of different gigs with Roger, ranging from jazz to pop to rock. I've also contributed the drum tracks for some of Roger's recording projects, three of which won awards in the ArtPrize music competition. More...
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Previous Bands
Hip Pocket
For nine years, I was the drummer in West Michigan's premier horn band, Hip Pocket. The group plays a unique combination of R&B, funk, pop, and jazz that simply electrifies a room. Hip Pocket boasts a killer 4-piece horn section, two of the most soulful vocalists in town, and a tight, driving rhythm section. More...
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Side Pocket
Side Pocket is a quintet made up of the rhythm section from the horn band Hip Pocket. But it's not just a smaller version of the same group. Side Pocket primarily plays instrumental jazz/fusion tunes, featuring compositions by Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Billy Cobham, Jeff Lorber, the Yellowjackets, and many others. More...
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Alive & Well
Alive & Well is a 7-piece band that has been performing in the west Michigan area for many years. Their instrumental prowess and tight vocal harmonies have made them a favorite among fans of classic rock, featuring tunes from Fleetwood Mac, ZZ Top, the Doobie Brothers, John Mellencamp, the Eagles and many others. More...
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Karisa Wilson
Karisa is a gifted singer and songwriter whose compositions are frequently injected with a Latin undercurrent as Karisa's voice soars playfully from note to note. I was privileged to play on Karisa's debut CD Little Girl, which won the 2007 WYCE Jammie Award for the best new artist and the so-called "Big Jammie" for the overall best CD of the year. More...
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David Molinari Band
The music of singer-songwriter David Molinari incorporates elements of folk, rock, blues, and jazz, reflecting Dave's diverse musical background. While I was with the band, we produced two CDs (one live recording, one studio recording) which captured both the power of Dave's compositions and the improvisational environment he always fostered. More...
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Fiction Switch
I think Rick Devon is an exceptionally gifted songwriter, so I was honored when he asked me to be the drummer in his band. Originally named Merry Bomb, the group evolved over the years, leading ultimately to a name change just prior to the release of the band's CD in 2001. Two of the songs gained national recognition, winning awards in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the Billboard Songwriting Contest. More...
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An Dro
Mix together various Celtic and world-beat musical styles, add an extra percussive edge, and toss in the improvisational dimension of a jam band, and you’ll have an idea of what An Dro is all about. The band's debut CD, The Turn, won the 2010 WYCE Jammie Award for the year's best traditional music release. Shortly thereafter, I retired from An Dro due to scheduling conflicts with my other bands, but they continue to be one of the premier world-beat bands in West Michigan. More...
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Deally Bob
While grounded in the traditional Irish style, this short-lived but innovative Celtic/world-beat group often incorporated a number of other musical influences. It was this willingness to stretch the boundaries of the genre that distinguished Deally Bob from other Celtic bands of the day. More...
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J. Oscar Bittinger
Songwriter and guitarist J. Oscar Bittinger was one of my first musical contacts after moving to Grand Rapids in 1989. He and his ex-wife, Lauren, who also is a musician, have been friends of ours ever since. Even so, it took a few years before we had an opportunity to join forces on several music projects. More...
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Drew Nelson
Drew Nelson is a gifted songwriter with the soul of a poet and the heart of a revolutionary. His songs reflect a penetrating insight into the human condition and a profound desire for social justice. I didn't play many gigs with Drew, but when the opportunity arose, I always jumped at the chance. More...
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Michigan Mark DePree
Whether performing with his own band, running sound at local concerts, or producing CD's for area musicians at his recording studio, Michigan Mark DePree is one of the best-loved figures on the Grand Rapids music scene. It has been my pleasure to perform with him at a number of live shows, as well as contribute drum tracks for several of his CD projects. More...
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Jack Lewis
The music of Jack Lewis incorporates elements of "smooth jazz" and "new age." His compositions, all of them originals, are characterized by fluid yet rhythmic keyboard arrangements. For his debut CD, Jack recorded all of the keyboard parts first, and then recruited me and several other musicians to overdub the remaining parts. More...
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Brant Satala
With the release of several critically acclaimed CDs, Brant Satala established himself as one of West Michigan's most respected singer-songwriters. I wasn't part of those recording projects but I have had the pleasure of playing several live shows with Brant over the years. More...
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early bands
My history of playing in bands dates back to age 10, but it went into high gear during my high school and college years when I participated in the school music programs as well as teaming up with other students to form jazz and pop music groups to play in local clubs. More...
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original compositions
Follow this link to check out several recordings of my own compositions. I've never played these tunes with any of the bands I've been in, so these recordings are just "me." I recorded the drum tracks first and then overdubbed the other parts. More...
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