clarinet. My life then changed. After about two months of screeching,
ear piercing noises generated by my inability to produce pleasurable sounds, my mother decided I needed lessons. My first
teacher, Mr. Fergerrio played first chair clarinet in the now defunct Druid Hill Park Concert Band. In 1950 I was accepted
in the first Dunbar Junior/Senior High School Band. By 1953 I was attending Douglas High School where I played "first" chair
in the concert and marching bands.
After high school, I made a career in the military. While in the US Army, I was assigned to a band-training unit with the
101st Airborne Division in Fort Jackson S.C. then to Fort Campbell KY in 1958. I transferred to the U.S. Air force
and was assigned to the Strategic Air Command Band at Offutt Air force Base in Omaha, Neb. The band instruments were confiscated
and replaced with M16 rifles for perimeter guard assignments.
After a honorable discharge from the 524th Air force Band at Loring Air force base in Caribou ME. I enrolled
at Berkley School of Music in Boston, Mass. There I was awarded a certificate of achievement in arranging and composition.
I the attended the Julliard School of Music in New York, NY where I studied literature and materials of music. While in New
York, under the tutoring of my Uncle Sir Charles Thompson (renowned jazz pianist) I was introduced to the jazz scene and modern
jazz techniques. Though him I gained employment with the Century Studios Advertisement Band as "first" chair saxophone and
clarinet for two years. In my off time I played with jazz groups in and around New York. The longest and most productive was
at the "Three-Nines" club in New Rochelle, New York. Upon my return to Baltimore I performed in numerous nightclubs with a
variety of bands. In 1973, I received my Associates of Arts degree in music from the Community College of Baltimore and was
named distinguished scholar.
Through all of my life experiences, I have been blessed with a loving wife and seven children. My family responsibilities
prompted me to seek other employment. For twenty years I was an over the road tractor trailer driver.
Scene that time I met the Lord and know that there had to be a change in my spiritual life. The desire to play and write
music never left me. I provide saxophone lessons in my as well as "Street Folks Cultural Center" in Randallstown MD. I am
no the music staff of Take Me Higher Ministries and Saint James United Methodist Church.
While telling a friend of how God had changed me and not wanting to play in nightclubs and bars any longer, he told me
of a group of men he felt I should meet. The excitement about these men and the ministry they carried heighten my interest
to meet them. They invited me to one of their rehearsals, which was centered on God. There was an uncommon fellowship, and
a true out pouring of Gods Spirit among these brothers "The Wise Men". Thy accepted in as one of them in the ministry and
I thank God for them.
