Current Projects

2024 has been a busy year so far, with live performances around the US with trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and comedian Rob Schneider. Having departed Arturo’s band, I’ll be off the road for a while, teaching, playing locally in Boston and concentrating on preparing my big band charts for recording this summer.

I’ll be putting the Rhythm of the Americas Quintet back together for a clinic and concert April 14 at the Press Room in Portsmouth, NH. The band features a stellar cast, including Alain Mallet, Edmar Colón, Oscar Stagnaro and Ernesto Díaz.

My partner in time, Oscar Stagnaro, virtuoso pianist Maxim Lubarsky and I put together a new trio which I named ‘Triad’, and we will play at a new venue in Boston, Long Live Roxbury on April 4.

Speaking of big bands (now called jazz orchestras), I just recorded 12 tunes and will be playing live with the amazing Greg Hopkins Jazz Orchestra. Greg has been writing great charts forever. The first big band I ever heard live was Buddy Rich, and Greg was playing and writing for them. Our special guests on the session were Bill Pierce and Reneese King. I also performed with Ken Schaphorst big band. Ken is a great writer and the head of the jazz department of New England Conservatory of Music.

I have a couple of concerts coming up with Paquito D’Rivera: Atlanta Jazz Fest in April and Martinique in July. Please see “upcoming shows” for that info.