1958: Born May 19 in White Plains, New York
1971: Began playing guitar at age 13. Studied with Danny Fiore in Port Chester, NY.
1975: Took Jazz Improvisation class at SUNY/Purchase with Lou Stein. Began playing professionally in clubs at age of 16.
1976: Graduated from Port Chester High School.
1976-1980: Attended Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; graduated Cum Laude with B.A. in Sociology; also studied Music Theory, Music History, and Electronic Music; played in Big Band and small Jazz Ensemble; and played in rock and funk bands at bars and frat parties to make spending money. Received an A in Bowling 101.
1978: Studied privately with Jazz Guitarist Linc Chamberland during Summer.
1981: Took Master Class with Jack Wilkins at The Drummers Collective, Rhythm Section Lab, in New York City, attended classes by Steve Khan, John Scofield, and Rich Boukas.
1981-1983: Toured and recorded with the Guy and Pipp Gillette band, which played a blend of blues, roots rock, county, and R & B. NY appearances at The Lone Star Cafe, The Other End, The Village Gate, And Kenny’s Castaways. Opening act for Jerry Lee Lewis, Sam & Dave, Luther Allison, and Buckwheat Zydeco. Toured Southeast (Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Florida) with Jaimo Johnson (of the Allman Bros. Band). Released Independent Single. Recorded Demos for Capricorn Records in Macon, GA. Recorded with Bassist-Producer,Tom “T Bone” Wolk (Saturday Night Live, Hall & Oates, Billy Joel). Performed with Guitarist Marc Shulman (Suzanne Vega) and Drummer Luther Rix (Bob Dylan, Bette Midler, The Who’s Tommy on Broadway).
1981-1985: Member/Writer for Artificial Intelligence (Progressive Art/Rock Band) Released EP “First Contact” on New Deal Records in 1984; received substantial airplay on college radio throught the U.S. Video “Robot Heart” aired on nationally syndicated “Top Forty Videos” (Ch. 9/ WOR TV in NY). Members were Stuart Staley, Rory Young, Bobby Leonard, Joe Bonadio, Andy Bloch, Dan Wilensky and Rowen Caplan.
1983-1986: Co-Leader (along with Drummer Andy Korn), Writer, and Arranger for Mass Transit- a popular club act in the NY Metro area. Band played Pop, R & B, Funk and Fusion. Notable members on various dates- Vocalist Billy Cliff and Drummer Joel Rosenblatt (Spyro Gyra), Keyboardists Jeff Jenkins (Nelson Rangell), Bob Baldwin (Atlantic Records Artist), Joey Calderazzo (Michael Brecker), Seth Farber (Willie DeVille), Bassists Al Caldwell (Jonathon Butler), Eric Udel (Blues Brothers), Al Renino (Leslie West), Drummer Dave Weckl (Chick Corea), Saxophonists Bob Franceschini (Mike Stern, Willie Colon), Fred Vigdor (Average White Band), Pete Brainin (Hilton Ruiz), Vocalist Tommy McDonnell (Blues Brothers), NY session musicians Paul Adamy, Paul Mariconda, Scott Spray, and Studio Vocalists Keith Fluitt, and Sarah Brooks.
1986-1987: Co-leader of the Bob Baldwin/Al Orlo Project; NY club performances at The Bottom Line, Mikell’s, Sweetwaters, and Sunday nights at the famed Westchester hang-out, The Crazy Horse. The band played a blend of R & B, Jazz and Fusion, instrumental and vocal music. Line-ups featured Vocalist James “Crabbe” Robinson, Saxophonists Bob Franceschini, Cornelius Bumpus, and Fred Vigdor, Bassists Paul Adamy and Oskar Cartaya (Spyro Gyra), Drummers Brian Doherty (They Might Be Giants) and Tony Cintron (Patti Austin). The band left its mark when much of the original repertoire was subsequently recorded on abums by The SOS All Stars, The Dream, and James Robinson’s solo album “Guilty” on Tabu Records.
1986-1989: Member of The Dick Trismen Band. Pop/Rock band performed original material in NY clubs, including The Cat Club and The Bitter End. Recordings were produced by Don “Buck Dharma” Roeser of Blue Oyster Cult. Dick went on to success as the designer of “Free Style” Midi Seqencing and Notation Software, and a designer for Digital Performer for Mark of the Unicorn.
1987-1988: Co-leader, writer, producer, and recording artist for The SOS All Stars; released two albums: “New York Rendezvous” and “Greetings From New York” on the Chase Music Group label; Both albums received extensive airplay on Contemporary Jazz stations nationwide, including KKGO in Los Angeles and WQCD in NY. Special Guests on these albums: Dave Weckl, Will Lee, Richard Tee, Michel Camilo, Anthony Jackson, Steve Khan, Bob Baldwin, Dave Mann, and Chris Botti.
1987-1990: Guitarist and co-arranger for the pop songwriting duo Page and Davenport. This project was produced by legendary producer Jack Douglas (John Lennon, Aerosmith); band members included Bassist Hugh McDonald (Bon Jovi), Saxophonist Andy Snitzer (Reprise Solo Artist, The Rolling Stones 94 Tour), and Drummer Van Romaine (Steve Morse Band).
1981-Present: Private Instruction on Guitar and Music Theory; have taught many students, some who are now working as musicians themselves. Also have taught as an Affiliate Artist/Teacher for SUNY/Purchase College.
Professional Organizations: Member of Local 802, American Federation of Musicians. Writer and Publisher Member of ASCAP.
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