Growing up in Waukegan, Illinois in the mid sixties, i started musically on the accordion. Soon tiring, literally, of the pushing and pulling 25 pounds across the chest, and seeing the piano in the family front room, it seemed easier to sit down and simply touch the keys. At a school talent show, a local banker liked what he saw, hired me Friday nights during Christmas season to play in his bank, gave me $25 for 2 hours. That was big money in 1968, and I suddenly fell in love with music.

High school and college brought diverse opportunities, among which was pit band work for the musicals ‘Godspell’ and ‘Pippin’, and playing with guys who’d later form the successful Milwaukee band Girard. Knowing and liking the great American songbook, many a private party and cocktail lounge gigs kept me occupied for all these years.