14 years old. My Dad played guitar and helped me get started also really good music program in high school. Got some private lessons with teachers that were influenced by jazz in my teen years.
What was the first concert you ever went to?
When I was 14 years old my parents took me to see BB King at the Hook and Ladder club in toronto.
What gear do you use?
1949 Gibson 175, Eastman archtop, 2008 Martin CF 1 archtop, schectar 7 string semi hollow, arch top and semi hollow ibanez's, mandolin, banjo, Yamaha classical, schectar strat, 1902 Heintzman upright piano. Favourite would be a tie between Martin and Gibson.
What are you looking for from Fandalism?
The ability to jam with players in real time that you meet on fandalism.
Who was your biggest musical influence growing up?
Ed Bickert, Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass, teachers recommended Ed Bickert who is a great chordal player. Luckily the first jazz guitar records I bought were Joe Pass and Wes Montgomery, Pat Martino, Jim Hall along with Ed Bickert, enjoyed their playing greatly.
Are you in a band? Have you been in bands?
I play as a leader and sideman mostly jazz. I perform in the Toronto area mostly. I enjoy all kinds of music though, everything from bluegrass to classical. I have focussed on jazz as its such a vast arena to work in and I feel I have only scratched the surface in terms of developing my music.
If you could jam with anyone, who would it be?
Wes Montgomery, his phrasing and dynamics on the guitar were amazing and his solos were at a very high level. Most importantly his sense of time is fantastic.
What's the biggest audience you ever performed to? What's the smallest?
A few thousand at an outdoor concert, most memorable would be performing in toronto jazz festival partly because I was able to run across the street on my breaks and see great artists perform.
You're stuck on a desert island and only get to bring one album with you. What do you pick?
Groove Brothers with Wes Montgomery, solos are perfect and always sound fresh, would be a tie though with Street of Dreams a Grant Green CD.