(Photo by Gary Adams)

Setting up for a rehearsal backing Johnny Mathis at the State Theater in Cleveland, Ohio.

(Photo courtesy Don Santa-Emma)

In rehearsal with the 2nd national tour of Wicked at the State Theater in December, 2016.  Based on the shaker I'm using, we're playing "As Long as You're Mine."

(Photo courtesy of Flint Hawes)

Rehearsing "Wicked" at the ING Center in Spokane, WA for the May, 2014 run of performances.

(photo courtesy Flint Hawes)

This is an overhead from the lobby rehearsal with the 2nd National Tour of Wicked at the Morrison Center in Boise, Idaho. 

(photo courtesy: Flint Hawes)

One of the joys of being a freelance musician is all the unique situations you can be put in.  I enjoy being the drummer for the "Shabbat Rocks" band at B'nai Jesharun.

This is my set of 1966 Ludwig drums in the rare "burgundy sparkle" wrap.  I've used these drums on all sorts of gigs including backing former Platters lead singer Sonny Turner, the national tours of "South Pacific" and "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder," orchestra concerts with the Cleveland Pops, Erie Philharmonic and the Blossom Festival Orchestra and many big band and blues performances.

I finally got a backstage photograph with the legendary lead singer of The Platters, Sonny Turner. I’ve been privileged to back him up twice for runs of his show in the Cleveland area. A class act and a dynamic entertainer, and dig those shoes!

Performing with the Erie Chamber Orchestra.

(Photo courtesy Steve Weiser.)

The band for the opening concert for the Mark Mothersbaugh exhibit at MOCA Cleveland with the artist/composer.

Performing David Lang's "Born to Be Wild" at the Ingenuity Festival in Cleveland, Ohio

Performing the US Premiere of Bertold Hummel's "Aphorisms uber BACH" for percussion and strings with the Trinity Cathedral Chamber Orchestra in 2005.

(Photo courtesy Daniel Hathaway)

Visiting the Grover Pro Percussion booth at PASIC 2014.

(photo courtesy Grover Pro Percussion)

Duo ANIME performing a concert for a chamber music series at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

Performing with the national tour of "Motown the Musical" at the Capitol Theater in Salt Lake City, Utah.

(photo courtesy Kenny Hodges)

I've performed dozens of times as a guest soloist with community bands and orchestras.  Here I am performing with the North Royalton Community Band at a band festival in Wadsworth, Ohio.

Recording session for the CD "Percussion Wonderland" by the Cleveland Percussion Ensemble.  The ensemble was (L to R) Tom Fries, Me, Joe Adato, and George Judy.

(photo courtesy Jon F. Csicsila)

Set up for another Cleveland Orchestra "Musical Rainbow on the Road" in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood.

Presenting a pre-concert activity for a Cleveland Orchestra Family Concert.

(Photo courtesy Sandra Jones)

My very first union gig was with the Lakewood Hometown Band.  I joined the AFM to play that concert series and am still doing it all these years later. (photo courtesy Tom Fries)

Conducting The Sounds of Sousa Concert Band at Fred Fuller Park in Kent, Ohio.

The band for Gulfshore Playhouse’s production of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

I spent a weekend performing in Cleveland and Chicago with the amazing Torok Tilla Folk Experience from Hungary. They perform a traditional folk melodies in a contemporary interpretation.

On tour in Richmond, Indiana with the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra.

“Final Fantasy: Distant Worlds” at the Knitting Factory in Boise, Idaho.