(Boston-Based Percussionist, Drummer, and Composer)
2026
(Percussion: bodhran, riq, pandeiro, frame drum, cajon, and more). Slí Amach: Way Out is the debut album of Boston-based Ishna, a contemporary Irish folk band. Ishna explores traditional repertoire within the context of a global setting, bringing the band members' diverse backgrounds into each of their carefully crafted arrangements. The album starts with a darkly humorous tale of a murderous wife, continuing on through exhilarating instrumentals, heart-tugging ballads, and rousing rebel songs, before finally leaving the listener in the familiar setting of an Irish pub. Slí Amach: Way Out was recorded over a week in a barn in rural New Hampshire, and the band members spent that time not only making music, but hiking, cooking meals, and sharing stories over the fire pit. The result is an album that is infused with the camaraderie of the band: an album that invites the listener to step into the fold of this community and to experience Irish music in a new way.
2025
(Principal Percussion). RENEWAL features four works by composer Viet Cuong, performed by the critically-acclaimed Albany Symphony. In Re(new)al, a percussion quartet performs on found and prepared instruments in a three-movement concerto inspired by hydro, wind, and solar energy. Higher Ground – Concerto for Tuba honors the bass voice through chaconne and canticle forms, exploring the act of rising as a central musical idea. The poetry-inspired Next Week's Trees and Orbital, praised as "radiant, prismatic and fascinating" by Times Union, complete the collection, each showcasing Cuong's compositional voice that The New York Times calls "alluring" and "stirring."
(Section Percussion). This recording showcases three new evocative works by GRAMMY Award-winning American composer Michael Daugherty, exploring the triumphs and tragedies of flight. Blue Electra is a dramatic violin concerto inspired by the sensational life and mysterious disappearance of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart in 1937. Last Dance at the Surf is a one-movement dance symphony for orchestra that reflects upon rock '''n roll legend Buddy Holly'''s final performance in 1959 at the Surf Ballroom in Iowa and his tragic death in a plane crash just hours after his show. To the New World for orchestra celebrates the triumphant Apollo 11 moon mission in 1969 and Neil Armstrong's historic moonwalk. Under the baton of GRAMMY Award-winning conductor David Alan Miller, the Albany Symphony is joined by GRAMMY Award-winning violinist Anne Akiko Meyers, who performs Blue Electra with electrifying musicality and emotion.
2022
(Percussion). The Albany Symphony, conducted by David Alan Miller, performs two world premiere recordings of works by the distinguished and original composer, David Del Tredici. Pop-Pourri is the very first piece in Del Tredici's legendary "Alice" series and is scored for orchestra, soprano, rock band, and chorus. David Alan Miller (conductor). Albany Records.
2018
Klezwoods is a Boston-based ensemble performing original music based on klezmer, jazz, balkan, and rock sounds.
In May of 2016, the group will release its third album, Toy Monkey. I tracked a huge variety of hand percussion on this, including doumbek, riq, tappan, and even the sounds of spaghetti westerns.
2014
This sparkling new chamber-jazz group led by Bert Seager on piano features cello, upright bass, and hand percussion—soulful original melodies, rich harmonic song form and spontaneous improvisation. Featuring Catherine Bent on cello, Ehud Ettun on bass, and myself on a mixed hand-percussion setup (no ride cymbal!)
Also available on iTunes.
November 19, 2013
The quartet's sophomore album re-imagines exotica as a modern genre blending jazz, chamber music, and global sounds. Artistic Director Brian O'Neill highlights his latest originals (Music From Here) and interesting arrangements of classical and popular works (Music From There) such as Manuel de Falla's "Ritual Fire Dance," and Gershwin's "3 Piano Preludes." "…wonderful…"—Jazz Weekly
2012
A sonic voyage traveling through the bustling markets of North Africa, the doner kebab stands in Turkey, and the crisp mornings of St. Petersburg, Russia.
2011
David plays with me in La Tuza - his main project is the David Wax Museum, which blends Americana, Folk, and Rock with Mexican son. I played all the percussion on this record which adds a heavy world-beat element, including Brazilian rhythms like samba-reggae and baiao, to the use of tappan as a rock instrument. "Born With A Broken Heart" won the Boston Music Award's Best Song of the Year for 2011.
May 2011
The second CD in the Exotica for Modern Living series, this disc features a collection of my original music for vibraphone, bass flute, flute, percussion, oud, and acoustic bass with a few classic exotica coves too! This CD is available now as a reduced-price pre-order. "Top 10 CDs for 2011"—Huffington Post
November 2010
My transcriptions of the space-age pop sounds of JG Esquivel are now available on a CD entitled, The Unforgettable Sounds of Esquivel. Recorded live by my 22-piece big band, the album pays tribute to Esquivel's unique musical personality and launched the Exotica for Modern Living series. "Top 10 CDs for 2011"—Huffington Post "…incredible arrangements, musicianship and artistic direction…"—
Hawaiian-pop style record from the men who spread aloha, The Crazed Mugs! I overdubbed some vibes and percussion tracks including pandeiro and bongos on a few of the more exotica sounding tracks.
Klezwoods is a Boston-based klezmer group I play percussion with occasionally.
From the opening bass, snare drum and accordion of "Ki Eshmera," the Boston-based Klezwoods deliver a beautifully structured and performed collection of traditional tunes on its debut, Oy Yeah!. The nine-piece band moves from haunting ballads to frenzied dance tunes with ease...
2009
I'm proud to announce the first full-length studio album from La Tuza. Releases of Son music are rare in the US, especially from predominantly non-hispanic groups like La Tuza. I recorded all of the percussion, piano, and vocals.
2007
I was the original vibraphonist in Waitiki and also tracked percussion on this recording.
2005
I was the original vibraphonist in Waitiki and also tracked vibes on this recording.
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