Music has always been a constant.

I loved listening to it talking about it, and finding new bands and songwriters. I hungrily consumed Tribe Called Quest, Steely Dan, Animals as Leaders, and everything in between.

At 10, I took up guitar–and music became my everything. Any spare time I had I filled with music – playing, composing, recording…and of course, simply appreciating it. To me, music is the most inspiring and enjoyable thing in the universe.

When I thought my love for music couldn’t get any greater, I was “formally introduced” to jazz. My world exploded.

Jazz quickly became an obsession–and remains so. I will listen to 20 different versions of Beatrice or Stardust to appreciate the variations and approaches (although, for the record, my favorite Beatrice is by Robert Glasper or Joe Henderson). I dive deep into the world of free jazz, appreciating the expression and talent of musicians like Pharoh Sanders, Chris Speed, and Sonny Sharrock. The sounds of ECM resonate and inspire me. John Abercrombie, Pat Metheny, Bill Frissell, and Keith Jarret are my constant companions, unknowingly influencing my style and tone. I hope to follow in their teachings, by learning and understanding jazz history–and, in turn, use that knowledge to create my own sound and style.