Straight Ahead is my first album. I was close to turning 40 years old, so there was a lot of angst to go through this process as I had been playing professionally since I was 15. I wanted to showcase my Jazz pianism in a tried and true piano trio setting. In the studio we played live and it was very exhilarating.

Fortunately, Dan and Jeff (RIP)

Straight Ahead is my first album. I was close to turning 40 years old, so there was a lot of angst to go through this process as I had been playing professionally since I was 15. I wanted to showcase my Jazz pianism in a tried and true piano trio setting. In the studio we played live and it was very exhilarating.

Fortunately, Dan and Jeff (RIP) were seasoned pros so I felt really musically supported. Most songs were one-takes so one block of studio time did the job. My trust in the engineer and co-producers was crucial.

The title cut "Straight Ahead" garnered me a JAZZIZ Top Ten national award in the "Piano's On Fire" contest in 1996. This is me at the top of my game in contemporary jazz piano.