Ever since I could remember, I had a desire to play an instrument. Even as a child when I'd visit where there was a piano, I'd get on it right away & start to make up songs, playing with two fingers. But no matter how often I'd ask my parents, they'd refuse to get an instrument or lessons for me, which would only make me want to play even more. Finally in my last month of high school, I bought a cheap guitar & amplifier. After graduating college, I experienced the thrill of jamming with other musicians & started to think more seriously about playing music.
EXPERIENCE: I've been playing clubs & bars since the 80's in & around Montreal & a bit in the Laurentian area & now Ontario. In the early 90's downtown I hosted 'Jam Nights' & at the (in)famous "Station 10" & the "Candy Store". I also did sound there, as well as for other local bands. I was a finalist for 2 years in the local Fender Guitar-Wars competition.
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: The bands that inspired me to start playing were Led Zeppelin & progressive groups like: Yes, Genesis & Pink Floyd. Also other 70's "Art Rock" artists like: Bowie, T-Rex, Roxy Music, the Strawbs, Manfred Mann, the Who, Mahogany Rush. Then, onto the jazz/rock/funk fusion of Jeff Beck & Jan Hammer. My goal was to create music that stood out from mainstream radio, yet remained accessible to the average listener. Later on, I got into the more mainstream styles of: Heart, Journey, Bryan Adams, Sting, Prince, Bonjovi, U2 & Amanda Marshall. More recently, a slight Jazz influence has come into my playing.
GUITAR INFLUENCES: Melodic players like: Jeff Beck, David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, Mick Taylor, Santana. Creative guitarists like: The Edge, Andy Summers & Robert Fripp. Obscure influences: Bill Nelson (BeBop Deluxe), Steve Hillage, Roger Fisher (Heart), Walter Rossi. And others: Richie Samboro (Bonjovi), Niel Schon (Journey), Robin Trower & Frank Marino. Jazz artists: George Benson, Pat Metheney & Lenni Stern. At times, people have made comparisons to non-influences, like: Jimi Hendrix, Mark Knopfler & Joe Satrianni.
What makes me unique from most guitarists, are my creative use of effects pedals. With longer delay settings I create "loops" of phrases which I can play along to or harmonize with, often emulating keyboard sounds & eliminating the need for a rhythm guitarist. Part of my playing revolves around improvisation, I like to stretch things out at various points in certain songs. It gives an audience something different to hear every time they see me. But I don't try to impress an audience with speed or technical ability. Anyone who's been playing for a while knows that it's about playing for the song & not about how many notes you can cram in.
People usually focus on the singer & melody of a tune, so I've learned to primarily support those elements. A big part of my playing is the use of melody & dynamics in chords & leads. By bending notes & using subtle vibrato, especially on ballads, you can really put a lot of feeling & emotion into your playing. Also: what you don't put in, is just as important as what stays in. A lot of younger players seem to have missed the boat on that concept. Any art form is about conveying & evoking (positive) feelings & emotions. That may sound too "new age", but Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd & U2 became the biggest bands in the world by being able to express themselves tastefully & with restraint, not by cranking it out full blast constantly.
Here are some actual comments people have made, after seeing me play...
"How can you play a lead like that, without having heard the song before?"
"I don't believe that's you playing." (after playing a tape to someone)
"I though you were kidding when you said you wrote that song."
"It sounds like there's more musicians than I'm seeing."
"Your playing has a real spiritual quality to it."
"What kind of music is that?"
INFLUENCES
INTRO
ORIGINAL SONGS
COVER SONGS
WORK
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