Musical Background

For the 40 years that I played drums on the road, I was very fortunate to play with some wonderful, and creative people mostly in the North-Eastern part of the country, and in the latter part of my career, here on the West Coast. I played JAZZ for all of that entire time, and for two years, early in my career, travelled with a great Dixie-land band out of New Orleans called "Roy Liberto and the Bourbon Street All Stars." We worked all the major Dixie-land showrooms in the country. When in New York City, which was at least 6 times a year, the band worked for one and two month engagements at "The Metropole" and at "Nicks" in the Village, both were the premier Dixie-land night clubs in NY at that time. When in Cleveland, (4 or 5 times a year), we worked the "Theatrical Grille". The band was also contracted to play all the "Sheraton Hotels". It was one of the best Swing-Dixie-land Bands in the country. Kind of a cross between Louis Armstrong and Louie Prima.

- - Later on in my playing the majority of my music was dedicated to Be-Bop which became my first love. Out of respect,and because many of these people are gone, I'm going to name them as close as I can, and in the order that I played with them. I played with "The CRESTS, Sonny Stanton, Ruth Brown, Shotgun Kelly, Bullmoose Jackson, Charles Earland, Pat Martino, Bugalloo Joe Jones, Wendell Byrd, Tommy Tucker, Chino Feaster, Roland Prince, Erik Kloss , Chris Woods, Tina Brooks, Ted Curson, James Spaulding, Joe Alexander, Eddie Baccus, Eddie McFadden, Carlton Drakard, Melvin Lastie, Albert Ayler, Don Goldie, Big Chief Moore, Henry Red Allen, Rubin Mitchell Trio, Dakota Staton, Grant Green, Lonnie Smith, Rhoda Scott, Buddy Terry, The Joe Borland Trio , Mundell Lowe, Tony Zano, Don York, Roy Merriweather, Red Prysock, Carmen Leggio, Civera Jeffries, Frank Wright, George Adams, Johnny Coles, Billy Gardner, Eddie Chamblee, Benny Green, Eddie Kahn, Frank Vicari, Walter Bishop Jr., Eddie Henderson, Groove Holmes, Graham Bruce, Warren Gale, Scott Barnhill, Al Molina, Dizzy Reece, during my career I played at three "Mardi Gras" in new Orleans, worked in Atlantic City when it was the premier "black" summer resort to go to in the U.S.A. (1950-1965), in the 60's, I appeared on "The Mike Douglas Show", was featured on "I've Got A Secret", and recently I recorded with Eddie Harris and Jimmy Witherspoon, just before their recent passing.

- - Its not just to mention their names, but all of the memories, and wonderful things that I learned from these wonderful people, who happened to be musicians. It was a joy to hear them perform, and I can't begin to tell you how it felt to be on the same bandstand creating the kind of magical music we did together.

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