I first became aware of the great Chris Gekker as a student at the Eastman School of Music. His impeccable reputation had lived on at the school well after he departed. I went on to have the distinct pleasure to work with Chris many times on a great variety of projects in New York. His musicianship and versatility have astounded me every time we ha…

I first worked with Gene Pokorny when he played on my CD, Brass Nation. His playing was sublime and he was an absolute pleasure to work with. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, says the same thing about Gene: the greatest musician to ever pick up a tuba and the greatest guy you’d ever want to be around. I’m grateful that Gene also played on my New B…

Chuck Findley is one of my heroes. The Wall Street Journal front page, feature article on Chuck from the early ’80s hung on my college dorm room wall for a year. He has set the standard for what it means to be a studio musician for five decades. I first met Chuck and heard him live at a Manhattan Transfer recording session in Los Angeles in 1983, a…

I had the great pleasure of meeting Ben Baldanza last summer online when he ordered my Shires signature trombone through Hip-Bone Music. After several emails and a few more orders of books and arrangements, I felt like I was a friend of Ben’s. Ben and I have kept in touch regularly over the past year and we finally met in person when we recorded th…

I have had the pleasure of knowing Bones Malone for the better part of 30 years. When I first moved to New York in the mid-80s, Tom was kind enough to send me in on some much needed gigs to sub for him. I’ve always been grateful to him for those opportunities. Tom’s exemplary musicianship has been obvious to everyone who has ever played with him. O…

Randy Brecker has been a hero of mine since I heard my first Brecker Brothers album back in the ’70s. His playing and writing changed the way I approach music, as it has for hundreds of other musicians. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to play on one of Randy’s solo records, as well as having him play on several of …

I have had the great pleasure of knowing and working with Tony Kadleck since the 1980’s. He is an exceptional musician, virtuosic instrumentalist and one of the true gentlemen of the music industry. Our time together with Frank Sinatra will always bring back some of my most favorite memories. It continues to be an honor and an inspiration to work w…

I have always been a fan of great brass quintet playing. From my days in college and being a part of my own quintet, I have total admiration for the rare individuals who can make a quintet happen on the professional level. I first heard Triton Brass in 2011 at the Boston Conservatory and realized immediately that they are that rare collection of in…

I first heard Conrad Herwig in 1982. I had never heard the trombone played like that before and it scared the crap out of me while totally inspiring me at the same time. It still inspires me every time I hear him play now over 30 years later. I have had the good fortune of working with Conrad many times over the years including several years with F…

I first heard Gary Grant in person at a Manhattan Transfer record date in LA in 1983. He was playing with Jerry Hey’s unbelievable horn section. That session changed my musical life in many ways. I was immediately struck by the power of Gary’s playing, but also his musical sensitivity. Simply stated, Gary is one of the most passionate musicians I h…

The first two records I bought with my own money were Bill Watrous’ Manhattan Wildlife Refuge and Maynard Ferguson’s Chameleon. I got home from Tower Records in San Jose and immediately put on Bill’s record. His legendary cadenza on Fourth Floor Walk Up changed the way I looked at the trombone and what was possible on the instrument. Bill had that …

As a youngster, before I ever thought of picking up the trombone, I was a fan of the great band Blood Sweat & Tears. In addition to how much they utilized the horn section in their music, there was one trumpet solo I was particularly drawn to. That solo was Lew’s classic statement on Spinning Wheel. I have been fortunate to go on to work with Lew d…

I was first introduced to Steve Turre’s playing in the late 1970’s when he was a member of the groundbreaking Woody Shaw quintet. I have always been and always will be a rabid fan of the great Woody Shaw. When he added Steve to his quintet to replace the saxophone, I was hooked. Since then I have followed Steve’s inspiring and remarkable career wit…

There may be a few drummers past or present as good as Peter Erskine, but there are none better. He is the finest musician residing behind a drum kit that I have ever been fortunate enough to play with. I had the pleasure of sharing the bandstand with Peter for a week this summer in Tokyo with Bob Mintzer’s incredible big band. It was an honor to s…

I am honored to consider Dan Gordon one of my oldest and best friends. We’ve known each other since we were teenagers playing together in the California Youth Symphony. Our friendship has grown over the years, as has his mega successful brewing company, Gordon Biersch. He has been a tremendous supporter of my music and of Hip-Bone Music over the ye…

I have been a big fan of Joe Alessi since I was in high school. Joe and I both grew up in the bay area and he was already a star by the time he was in high school. We’ve gone on to work together many times in New York on motion picture soundtracks, television commercials and even a few Hip-Bone Music projects. It is always an inspiration and a trem…

I first met Bob McChesney in 1985 when we were both part of Paul Anka’s outstanding touring band. It took me about half of one rehearsal to realize that he is a true virtuoso of the trombone. We spent about a year and a half together on Paul’s band and being around Bob was definitely one of the best parts of the gig. He is a constant source of insp…

I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Wayne Bergeron and Andy Martin for many years. I first became aware of Andy Martin when we were in high school back in the ‘70s in California. He was a legend even then. As it was back then, it is always an inspiration to hear Andy play. I’m honored that he performed on my Brass Nation and Absolut…

I have been a big fan of Marshall Gilkes and Ryan Keberle since I first heard them about 10 years ago. It’s been a delight to see them carve out immensely successful careers in this ever changing profession of music. I consider them to be two of the most innovative players of any generation. While I love nothing more than to sit down with a legend …

I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Phil Myers for over 20 years. We’ve played together on countless recording sessions in New York, as well as playing together on my Brass Nation and New Brass CDs. It’s very easy to admire and be in awe of Phil’s virtuosity, but in a business that doesn’t always reward candor and honesty, Phil’s op…

I have known and worked with Dave Taylor for over 25 years. Safe to say, we’ve had our ups and downs over the years and haven’t seen eye to eye on very many things. That said, we’ve done a lot of great playing together over those years and in the process, I’ve learned a great deal from Dave. He has forged one of the most distinguished careers ever …

I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Reichenbach at the Eastman School of Music in 1982. He came back to school as a guest artist when I was a student and was already one of my heroes. His virtuosity and consummate musicianship continue to inspire all who are fortunate enough to work with him or hear him play. I had the pleasure of collaborating with…

I had the distinct pleasure of being the guest artist at this year’s Brass Bash at the New England Conservatory in February. In addition to working and performing with the very talented students of NEC, I was extremely privileged to perform one of my pieces with the BSO trombone section, as well as performing my Trombone Institute of Technology wit…

I have had the incredible pleasure of working with the great Phil Smith on numerous recording sessions in New York, as well as many of my Hip-Bone Music projects. Every time I hear him play, I feel totally inspired and gain a sense of clarity about what a brass instrument should sound like. He possesses, without question, the finest trumpet sound I…

Meeting Chris Botti for the first time in 1984, I had the distinct impression that he was destined for greatness. Chris is one of the most inspiring, intelligent, driven and talented individuals I have ever known. Working with Chris has made my own career better than it could have been without that association. He’s a trailblazer in everyway and co…

I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with Bob Mintzer for over 25 years. Simply stated, he is one of my heroes. I will never forget hearing the first incarnations of Bob's big band at Seventh Avenue South in the 1980s. They were some of the most electrifying and inspiring nights of music I have ever experienced. Bob continues to inspire all…