Brooklyn, NY

J.J. Johnson on "Now's the Time" is one of my favorites because he played with so much language, and was so clever about his pacing and phrasing. I swear it paints an entire scene in my head every time I listen to this track. A piece of art in how to set a scene for your listener.

I love dancing and taking really long walks to look at pretty things

Rodney Whitaker, Michael Dease, and Diego Rivera

"How does a mouse eat an elephant? One bite at a time."

I wish students would ask more questions about arranging and get involved in the arranging process sooner. 

I'm not sure there was a defining moment. It has been a journey mostly of learning about my instrument, building a community of like minded individuals who will demand a lot from me musically, practicing and preparing myself for any situation, having a good time, and always saying yes to a challenge.

I found that because I came from a place of really loving the art and wanting to foster it, people gave me opportunities. I always said yes to things, even if it meant learning an entirely new skill. I have made myself a high demand writer from writing Songbooks for bands, and polished a skill that allows me to enjoy the writing process. I have dedicated my life to this and it just so happens that I can make money from my skill.

Although the act of learning about this wasn't intentionally about monetization, I realize now you can sell any skill, and I just feel grateful that I was able to build my life around something I'm really passionate about so I can spend my days and nights writing and playing this music, and giving back to the community that built me up.

A most recent turning point has been writing for my band, "La Orquesta Esa" which came about because I was asked to bring a show to Dizzy's in 2024. That single show has led to a huge support from Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Times Square Alliance, Chamber Music America, Michael Mossman, The Jazz Gallery, among others. And this has allowed me to bring that show across the United States, record an album, and share the music with people Nation wide.

I think I'd be some other kind of artist and/or entrepreneur 

My daily practice routine has changed and continues to change throughout the years, but essentially I try to warm up (long tones, flexibilities studies, articulation studies) on all 2 of my horns and also my voice, and then I review repertoire that I have for upcoming shows. I also make it a practice to transcribe every day, whether it's a solo or a full arrangement and learn new tunes, so practicing that tune list is also a part of my repertoire review.

Billy Strayhorn, Eddie Palmieri, and Charles Mingus

I think the 40s in NYC was a really important time, it's when jazz started fusing with latin styles that inspired and helped create the diverse amounts of Afro-Latin music we hear today, and also is the foundation for which most of today's music comes from. 

I want to record a Big Band record.

What makes a concert experience unique has entirely to do with the audience getting to see the artists personality and engaging with them in whatever form. Everyone has a value that only they can provide, so using those things to create a concert experience will be what makes a concert unique.

Arranging and Musical Direction a Celia Cruz tribute through Jazz at Lincoln Center
Arranging and Musical Direction "Creatures of Myth" for The Metropolitan Opera and Lulada Club to feature Anthony Roth Constanzo
Recording a LIVE at The Jazz Gallery Album in partnership with The Jazz Gallery that will be released in Spring 2026

Gina Benalcazar-Lopez, The BOUNCE (independently released)
Michael Dease, Boneifide "Rufus McWhitman" and "Theme for Basie"
Mica Bethea, Suite Theory "Win Warriors"