The title of your new release, SINCE THEN 'TIL NOW suggests a journey through time. How does that relate to your musical career over the years?

I started to study music when I was six years old. The first composition I ever wrote was when I was eight. My life's journey took my focus away from music to other things including medicine and raising a family. Nonetheless, I have always found music running through my head. Indeed, some of the tunes on this debut release I composed when I was 17. So, in a sense, this album is something of a personal "compilation" of tunes which I composed over a very long period of time.

Your new album is impressive in its scope and musical diversity, and you assembled truly a who's who of talent for the date. How did your dreams of composing, producing, and performing on such a major project come into reality?

I have to confess, that "reality" was a long time coming. Nonetheless, each of the tunes sound very much the way I heard them when I first composed them. Throughout, I was careful in orchestrating each. I used what I felt would be the best ensemble for purposes of orchestration and then I identified the best solo instrument to lead each song. This approach resulted in each tune being quite distinct and also gave the entire project a high measure of diversity.

What components of the creative process required to produce such a quality project do you find to be the most satisfying and rewarding to you?

My producer, Dima Graziani, is unquestionably a very talented musician, arranger and sound engineer who ultimately had a big hand in the overall structure. He also matched my objectives and taste quite precisely. Working closely with Dima was very gratifying and rewarding for me. There were, of course, some "point-counterpoint" occasions in the entire process but they were always productive and fruitful and they led to a final outcome with which we are equally happy.

Your first exposure to performing as a child was playing classical piano, but as a teenager you were drawn to jazz. How did that exposure to jazz come about, and what about jazz appealed to you the most?

I was always looking for freedom in music but I never really found the freedom I was seeking in classical music. So jazz music came to appeal to me - and quite naturally because of the element of improvisation - but I am always loyal to the principle of melody. I have also been strongly encouraged by some of the players on this project (those who really like to improvise, such as flute virtuoso, Bill McBirnie) to introduce some moments of improvisational surprise and serendipity into my work.

You talk about performing being "just a memory" for a couple of decades, and that you really felt a loss during that time. Were you still involved in music during that period, or were you in a completely different field of endeavor?

I have always been involved in music to some extent. For example, when I was a student, I played in different contexts whenever the opportunities presented themselves. Later on, I would simply play for fun; for example, having my family or friends gathered in the living room and listening to a new song I had composed for a family member's birthday. Composing and arranging new tunes over those years - often far into the nights! - fostered the dream of someday putting together my ideas into an album featuring some really great musicians. The best part of this debut offering is being able to realize that dream with the able support of people like Dima Graziani and all of the other players on the project.

From your perspective as being an integral part of the Toronto music scene, how would you assess the health and potential of the Smooth Jazz format in Canada?

Toronto is absolutely amazing in terms of the wealth of world-class talent here - and in every area - whether it's recording, musicians, producing - you name it! That makes for a very healthy scene, if you ask me! In any event, I really hope that my debut release will advance the cause of Smooth Jazz here in Canada because it is a great - as well as accessible - idiom that focuses on the most important thing that caught my attention as a youngster - melody!