Born: Oakland, CA
Resides in: Benicia
Favorite Food: I am the original foodie!
Favorite Book: The Sociopath Next Door
Favorite Song: J’amerais te Pardoner by Dewy Balfa
Relationship Status/Children: Married with one child
What’s the difference between a violin and a fiddle? There is really no difference except in how the instrument is played. Although we fiddlers often prefer a slightly flatter bridge (makes double stops, drone notes and chordal playing easier) some of us will tune down our fiddles to play Cajun, Zydeco, and Creole tunes in the common accordion keys (C and G).
What genres of music do you play? My favorite genres are blues, Cajun, zydeco, southern rock, Latin and old timey, but I also can play bluegrass, classic country, folk and classical.
What bands have you played with? Queen Ida, Johnny Heartsman, Jolly Wally’s Wonder Follies, Smokin’ Section. I played charanga violin with a couple of salsa bands, Danny Poulard and Friends, and of course my own bands — Tee Fee Swamp Boogie (5 CD’s), Gill and Howard, and my new band Fiddlaround.
What’s your best moment on stage so far? The , with Johnny Hearstsman and Leonard Gill and 14,000 enthusiastic blues fans, with my own band at the Shoreline Amphitheatre at New Orleans by the Bay opening for Beausoleil and Bonnie Raitt, playing for President Clinton at the Mayor’s conference in SF. But my fondest musical memories are jamming with great musicians in casual settings and playing at small intimate clubs for regular folks.
