Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is your setup on the saxophone?
Saxophones: Tenor - Selmer SA80 Series III Black and Gold Model
Alto Sax: Yamaha 62 Professional Gold Model
Soprano Sax - Yamaha 875 Gold model w/curved neck
Yamaha WX5 Wind MIDI Controller w/VL70 Tone Generator.
Mouthpieces:
Tenor Sax - Berg Larson Silver Studio "90"
Alto Sax - Beechler 7
Soprano - Selmer Metal Jazz "F" facing
Reeds:
Tenor - Rico Jazz Select #3 medium hard filed
Alto - Henke #3
Soprano - Henke #3
2. What type of microphones do you use?
I use the Shure wireless system w/ a 98 clip on microphone
for each horn and the Alesis MicroVerb Effects Processor.
3. Who were some of your major influences?
Grover Washington Jr., Everette Harp, John Coltrane, Michael Brecker, Wycliffe Gordon, David Sanborn, Branford Marsalis, Cannonball Adderley, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Stanley Turrentine, Najee, Kenny Garret.
4. How much did you practice, and do you still continue to practice just as much?
Really I practice more now then I did when I was a kid. I didn't value it as much as I do now. I practice as often as my schedule lets me. I try to practice everyday. It maybe 3 hrs or it maybe just one hour. I just make sure it is productive, that's the most important.
5. What do you practice?
I practice scales and ideas that interest me. I still check out solos from other artists' CDs. I find this is one of the better ways to increase your solo vocabulary and ideas. I also spend a lot of time at my piano playing chord changes. I then practice over some of those chord changes until I have figured them out. Finally, I practice with artists that I like. Meaning I play along with the CDs of some of my favorite players. I enjoy that the most, that's why I save it for last.
6. What music do you listen to now?
I listen to a lot of stuff, but not much radio. I primarily listen to CDs. I try not to listen too much of the players who heavily influence me. I'm trying really hard to keep my individuality. These are some of my favorites, Michael Brecker, Kenny Garrett, The Yellow Jackets (with Bob Mintzer and with Mark Russo), Branford Marsalis, Art Porter, Eric Marienthal, Herbie Hancock, Eric Reed, Wycliffe Gordon, Marcus Printup, Al Jarreau, and all Grover Washington CDs, I also like other styles of music including Sting, Amerie, Prince, Brandy, Seal, Carl Thomas, Janet, Garth Brooks, James Taylor, EWF, Chicago, AWB, Soulive, just too name a few.
1. What is your setup on the saxophone?
Saxophones: Tenor - Selmer SA80 Series III Black and Gold Model
Alto Sax: Yamaha 62 Professional Gold Model
Soprano Sax - Yamaha 875 Gold model w/curved neck
Yamaha WX5 Wind MIDI Controller w/VL70 Tone Generator.
Mouthpieces:
Tenor Sax - Berg Larson Silver Studio "90"
Alto Sax - Beechler 7
Soprano - Selmer Metal Jazz "F" facing
Reeds:
Tenor - Rico Jazz Select #3 medium hard filed
Alto - Henke #3
Soprano - Henke #3
2. What type of microphones do you use?
I use the Shure wireless system w/ a 98 clip on microphone
for each horn and the Alesis MicroVerb Effects Processor.
3. Who were some of your major influences?
Grover Washington Jr., Everette Harp, John Coltrane, Michael Brecker, Wycliffe Gordon, David Sanborn, Branford Marsalis, Cannonball Adderley, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Stanley Turrentine, Najee, Kenny Garret.
4. How much did you practice, and do you still continue to practice just as much?
Really I practice more now then I did when I was a kid. I didn't value it as much as I do now. I practice as often as my schedule lets me. I try to practice everyday. It maybe 3 hrs or it maybe just one hour. I just make sure it is productive, that's the most important.
5. What do you practice?
I practice scales and ideas that interest me. I still check out solos from other artists' CDs. I find this is one of the better ways to increase your solo vocabulary and ideas. I also spend a lot of time at my piano playing chord changes. I then practice over some of those chord changes until I have figured them out. Finally, I practice with artists that I like. Meaning I play along with the CDs of some of my favorite players. I enjoy that the most, that's why I save it for last.
6. What music do you listen to now?
I listen to a lot of stuff, but not much radio. I primarily listen to CDs. I try not to listen too much of the players who heavily influence me. I'm trying really hard to keep my individuality. These are some of my favorites, Michael Brecker, Kenny Garrett, The Yellow Jackets (with Bob Mintzer and with Mark Russo), Branford Marsalis, Art Porter, Eric Marienthal, Herbie Hancock, Eric Reed, Wycliffe Gordon, Marcus Printup, Al Jarreau, and all Grover Washington CDs, I also like other styles of music including Sting, Amerie, Prince, Brandy, Seal, Carl Thomas, Janet, Garth Brooks, James Taylor, EWF, Chicago, AWB, Soulive, just too name a few.