How do you describe your music when people ask?

I'm sticking to calling it contemporary R&B for the vocal songs and contemporary jazz for the instrumental selections. Essentially, I'm preceding R&B and jazz with the term 'contemporary' because the word means, modern, current, fashionable, up-to-date. By employing the use of synthesizers, drum machines and other modern instruments and production methods it makes the music 'contemporary'. The term 'Smooth Jazz' has never been that easy for me to digest. When I analyze the music that is now classified as smooth jazz, it was considered R&B 15-20 years ago. The smooth jazz songs I'm hearing today could very well be vocal R&B songs, just add singers. When it's all said and done the music is to be enjoyed and the label that people place on the music is to be ignored.

What artists do you feel akin to or in the same tribe with?

I like your term 'tribe' ;-) Well this question has a funny answer and there is the serious answer which marketing people have adopted in order to facilitate placing the CD in the proper bins at retail. The funny answer, with the story to explain, would be Quincy Jones. Norman was in the studio when Denise and I were recording the finishing touches on Kellie's Theme and Elsi N' Me. He said Denise and I reminded him of Patty Austin and Quincy Jones. I was using Denise's voice as an instrument much in the manner Quincy uses Patty Austin. I'm not opposed to that comparison. I did do the writing, arrangements, programming, pre-production, contracting musicians, and coordination of the sessions and played all the guitars. Essentially wearing all the other hats needed to bring this product to market. Norman had a chuckle in his voice and smile as he said it.

My distributor has placed me in the 'tribe' with George Duke, but with a twist. The association with George is one I never thought about but once I gave it some thought about I had to agree. One item that I think separates my work for Quincy and George however is the work on the CD-ROM. That is something they have never done. The amount of work on the CD-ROM part of the project consumed more time and work than the recording and production of the music CD. It required another skill set aside from my music roots. I had to think like a computer company. I choose Steve Jobs as my mentor for that task.

What's your inspiration?

Making quality, innovative, enjoyable product that people love to death! Sounds like a tall order ;-) As with most musicians and creative artist; creating is a passion. Necessary for mental well-being but, it's driving me crazy. ;-)

When Norman and I began planning the product we felt we had a great selection of songs for a strong music product. Next, I felt the technology was in place to employ multimedia as a means of telling a dynamic and compelling story about the making of the music. This was an exciting challenge and innovation for a music product to be accompanied by an enhanced CD to complement the music product.

Are you into downloading your music? If so, what was the last song you downloaded.

Yep. I have an iTunes account and I use it to populate my new iPod video with music, music videos, T.V shows and movies. The most recent addition in the music category was made on April 1st at 2:50AM, LL Cool J the Boomin System (I briefly worked with LL when this was out).

My most recent TV purchase was made on March 26th at 5:37AM, Battlestar Galactica the mini series parts 1-4. I'm a supporter and believer in the new methods of purchasing and using the various new digital entertainment media.

How many instruments do you play? Any others that you're teaching yourself to play?

I play one instrument and that's guitar. I was planning to head back to school and finish my degree. But that was going to be in arranging and composition. Not another instrument.

What's your favorite destination when you're not working?

Please tell me, when am I not working? IT'S NOT SO EASY has invaded my life and consumed every waking hour. I'd love to be shopping in New York or Paris, having an authentic Italian meal in Italy. But, I'll settle for shopping in the garment district located here in downtown Los Angeles or I'll share a traditional Ethiopian meal with Elsi. (The Elsi, like in Elsi N' Me)

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