My first working band was 1979's Section Eight, playing small nightclubs and private parties. Since then, I've worked with many local Colorado acts in both performance and recording. A deliberative songwriter as well as live frontman, I have been honored to receive Honorable Mentions in both the Colorado Composer's Classic and the Billboard Song Contest. Semi-retired in 1998 to complete a degree in English from Regis University, I now teach middle school English and science at Jefferson Academy Charter School in Broomfield, Co. I am excited to return to music performance with Ironwood Rain.

Experience
Recording credits include vocal/bass tracks with various local artists including blues guitarist Forrest Nuerberg, Tracy Quinn (Magician) and Joe January (Dotsero, Radio Flyer).

Performance acts (nightclubs and small concert venues including Ogden Theater, Gothic Theater, Boulder Theater) include Section Eight, Stiffwater, Mr. E, RiffRats, Radio Flyer w/ Patrick Moraz (Yes, Moody Blues) and Hated Betty.
Genres include classic rock, original progressive rock, alternative, metal, fusion, and singer/songwriter.

40 years experience studying and performing live music.

Born on a dark and stormy night. There must have been music playing somewhere. The rest is history.

Speaking of history-
At the age of 8, began studying formal theory and classical technique with local instructor Ron Herdt.

Played in blues, jazz, marching band, orchestra, Dixieland, and big band orchestras from the age of 10 to 18. Traveled extensively throughout Colorado, with trips to California and Washington DC, including performances at Disneyland at 13 and in the Presidential Inaugural Parade at the age of 17.

At the age of 13, co-founded the rock/blues cover band Sidewinder, which became the all-original rock band Stiffwater. Played a massive variety of parties, dances, clubs, concerts, and other performances over a period of 20+ years.

7+ years of classical and jazz theory/harmony training with jazz master Bill Alexander.
3+ years jazz/theory/harmony training with local jazz legend Dale Bruning, who played with such jazz greats as Dizzie Gillespie.

So there I was…

I don’t remember al l the details but I know I was minding my own business.
My interest in music started at a very young age.  I was fascinated by any musical instrument I saw.  I could spend hours picking out melodies with any I could get my hands on.  (Actually, I am still this way.)  For my fifteenth birthday I asked for and received my first guitar.  Neither my parents nor I had any knowledge of guitars or a very large guitar budget.  We went to a seedy pawn shop and found a cheap copy of a Gibson Les Paul.   It turned out to be a terrible guitar that could not be persuaded to stay in tune.  I ended up borrowing a nylon string acoustic from one of my uncles.  I have been playing acoustic guitar almost exclusively ever since. 

Through the years I have played scores of solo performances and with the bands:  “A-Towne” & “Left on Colfax” .  Although guitar is my main instrument, I can easily be swayed to jam on harmonica, piano, bass, mandolin or in a pinch, the kitchen sink! 
Some of my other interests include helping my 3 kids develop their musical abilities, gardening, Tae Kwon Do, camping, brewing beer, Dragon Boat racing, boating, fishing, the Denver Broncos, carpentry, word and number puzzles, sushi, reading, motorcycles, drawing, concerts, watching the History Channel, cooking, Kinetics, and other assorted unexpected adventures.
I am so grateful to be performing with three extremely talented musicians.  The songs are fun, the chemistry fantastic and the music amazing.  I look forward to sharing this and many great times with you all.

Thank you for your continued support.

Peace,
JJ

Since Age 11 I have had a passion for music and specifically Drum Set. When I first approached my mother about playing the answer wasn’t NO. It was first you need theory. I was to take Piano Lessons and although I hated it then I am very grateful for the foundation it has provided me over the years. However drums was then and is still today what gets my excitement level up. I have been chasing the dream of performing on big stages and making a living as a musician for as long as I can remember and although I have done some of those things I work harder now than ever before to accomplish my dreams.

I have been performing and touring throughout The United States at clubs, concert halls, concert series and festivals for over 18 years. Professional highlights include performing at The Colorado Springs World Arena for an over 7000-person audience. I have completed two (2) National Tours including one of the Northwest, and one to the West Coast for a 2 month period of time.

I am a BMI registered artist and as such I have been involved with the composition of 22 pieces of work for recording with the musical group The Nocturnal Tomatoes, The Zen Theory and a few independent artists from both the modern contemporary Jazz and Christian Genres where I not only performed on the recordings but acted as a producer. Most of these compositions have been performed throughout the country and released on (3) three CDs and tapes, as well as, digital distribution thru various channels around the world including Target.com, CDbaby.com, Amazon and ITunes.

Once I used my talents to almost destroy myself and every night do something that would cause those in my life pain instead of making them smile or relate to the music. Now my focus in life is to be thankful for what I have and to still be here to play in recognition of the talents I have been given from God and I will always play for his glory.