Special Edition - Summer 2023 Luxury x Entertainment: Celebrating Black Music Month | Page 122

What led you up the professional musician pathway ? Who are / were some of your influences , inspirations and / or mentors ?

I have been playing the saxophone since I was about 9 years old . I started out on piano , but my music teacher switched me to the sax because I was never prepared for my lessons . I ’ ve always enjoyed music . I grew up with it being played in the house all the time . I ’ m a huge James Brown fan and was fascinated by Maceo Parker of the James Brown band . Later , when introduced to straight-ahead music , Cannonball Adderley was very inspirational to me as well .

Do you remember the moment in your career when you knew you had “ made it ”? What was that defining moment and what did you do to celebrate ?

Yes . I remember the day like it was yesterday . I was driving on the Harbor Fwy in Los Angeles when my first single aired on KJLH Radio Station ( which is owned by Stevie Wonder ). I heard my rendition of “ So Amazing ” on the radio . I pulled over to take it all in !! That evening my wife and I celebrated at our favorite restaurant , Mario ’ s , which at that time was in Westwood , CA .

What led you up the professional musician pathway ? Who are / were some of your influences , inspirations and / or mentors ?

I have been playing the saxophone since I was about 9 years old . I started out on piano , but my music teacher switched me to the sax because I was never prepared for my lessons . I ’ ve always enjoyed music . I grew up with it being played in the house all the time . I ’ m a huge James Brown fan and was fascinated by Maceo Parker of the James Brown band . Later , when introduced to straight-ahead music , Cannonball Adderley was very inspirational to me as well .

Do you remember the moment in your career when you knew you had “ made it ”? What was that defining moment and what did you do to celebrate ?

Yes . I remember the day like it was yesterday . I was driving on the Harbor Fwy in Los Angeles when my first single aired on KJLH Radio Station ( which is owned by Stevie Wonder ). I heard my rendition of “ So Amazing ” on the radio . I pulled over to take it all in !! That evening my wife and I celebrated at our favorite restaurant , Mario ’ s , which at that time was in Westwood , CA .