Okay. So.
You know that scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail when Terry Jones’ weird, pale prince character tells his overbearing father he doesn’t want land or a wife – he’d rather just… he’d rather just… sing?
That scene really captures my musical journey.
I grew up in a musical household in California. My parents introduced me to everything from Bartok to Blue Mitchell, and one of my favorite toys was a box of rhythm instruments my dad kept in the hall closet. It’s no wonder I picked up the trumpet at the age of nine and played that thing right up until my first lease agreement specifically said “no horns.”
As an alternative, I began singing and fell in love with it. Unfortunately, I became entangled in a variety of day jobs and set music on the backburner for a shameful number of years. Finally, I have realized that I don’t want to work in an office…
I’d rather just… sing.
Now I can proudly say that I’ve had the opportunity to do that with some of excellent musicians: Larry Koonse, Joe LaBarbera, Otmaro Ruiz, Jacob Mann, Todd Hunter, Randy Porter, Darek Oles, John Wiitala, Corbin Jones, Edwin Livingston, Aarón Serfaty, Carey Frank, David Arnay, John Leftwich, and Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band. Combining my love of music and film, I directed and edited the first Hans Groiner video.
Singing is my passion; it makes my bones and skin feel good. I love to find the humor in lyrics, and I’m never happier than when I’m improvising a new melody with familiar words. Having had the good fortune to grow up around an eclectic mix of musical styles, I enjoy finding lesser-known songs and incorporating different genres into every set.