YEAR: Second
MAJOR: Jazz Studies
HOMETOWN: Port Jefferson, N.Y.
What’s your instrument of choice and why?
Guitar. I started playing when I was 12. I’ve had a weird relationship with it but it’s the most versatile instrument. It’s just so vocal and can really cut to the core of you.
What are you involved with musically?
I’m in a band called The Ginder Grind with Ben Saldinger, Connor Larkin, Chris Rozik.
Who are your biggest influences?
John Bendy. Organist pianist Don Sans (teacher). Jimi Hendrix. McCoy Tyner.
Who have you been listening to lately?
Bendy Pastorius Group. Grant Green. Minus the Bear. Robert Glaspear. Soul Live.
What’s your plan for the future?
I want to see if I can do pretty much everything with it: perform, record, produce, arrange. Anything that really inspires me at the moment. Just be able to do anything and do it well.
Any advice for aspiring musicians?
Practice and take it seriously. Music is an art form and I think peope should respect that and put time in what they’re doing.
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