In search for the truth I had to develope the courage to look inside (N-Side)

I enjoy playing in bookstores, cafe's and small festivals. Poetry and jazz provides a certain type of atmosphere. One where what is said can create a truly intimate experience.

Helps make music more accessable and available

No. I would sign a contract with a small, but financially solid label for distribution and some promotional assistance.

Who and what influences me, as I have said before are the actions of people that care about the well being of others and do something about it on a soulful level, not determined by dollars, donations and fancy talk. Anybody can say something clever and catchy, but not everyone can move a soul. People who bring hope to the hopeless are my heroes. What is said with their music and without, the actions of people like Donald Byrd, jazz trumpet player, Red Garland, piano-player, Ray Brown, bass, William "Smiley" Winters, drummer and Roland Kirk "walking with the spirits". The power and inspirational words of Kamau Da'ood, Gil-Scott Heron, Sekou Sundiata, Milton Nascimento, Nina Simone. My non-musical influences are people like: Nelson Mandela, a man of conviction, perseverance, vision and principle. When he talks about being accountable, that is important. The world can learn something from that! His level of perseverance was very important. Especially, as a visionary. With it, he was able to sustain a vision of the great things to come. I could only imagine, that the goal would have been too hard to attain, if he didn't have hope and a clear vision of the commitment required from the beginning to the end. I believe that Nelson Mandela most definately displayed these qualities in character. Pema Chodron, a Buddhist nun, is someone who has taught me so much, with statements like: "This very moment is the perfect teacher" or "relax as it is". The Dali Lama when he says, "Breath in for peace in you and breath out to send peace to others" (or something to that effect) How hard can that be to do? He walks his talk in faith.

The San Francisco bay area