Although as musicians we tend to become a collection of all those who we have listened to, I would say that there are a few very clear influences in my musical styles.

Gato Barbieri has been a favourite of mine since the first time I heard his Caliente! album. I have always loved his melodic playing, growl tone, and phrasing. In my mind he is, without a doubt, one of today’s most dynamic horn players.

My love of R&B has resulted in my having a great deal of respect for all those baritone players who toiled away in obscurity behind the classic Motown sounds of Martha & the Vandellas, Diana Ross & the Supremes, and countless other acts. Echoes of those bari players can definitely be heard in my R&B bari playing.

Another R&B (early rock) player who has influenced my playing is Rudy Pompelli from Bill Haley & his Comets. In general I would say that all those early R&B tenor players like King Curtis, Eddie Shaw, Big Jay McNeely, Lee Allen, and a bit more recently guys like Boots Randolph, are definitely influential in how I play today.