Bio

When I mention to people that I was born in England, I repeatedly enjoy having to alleviate their confusion by explaining that: a) the name is Ukrainian, and b) so are my parents. Our family emigrated to Toronto when I was nine, and by the time I reached high school I had begun exploring music in typical rock-band fashion.

I was susceptible enough, however, to be sidetracked on one occasion and join a big band dance group where, having already applied some limited knowledge of theory to what little I knew about the guitar, I managed to ‘pass the audition’ and was encouraged to continue exploring my instrument. Graduating to the next level, a smaller, working band that used hand-written arrangements inspired (read: forced!) me to dig deeper and improve the skills needed for me to handle this new challenge. Lessons with studio guitarist Bobby Edwards, followed by three years with the highly-respected Tony Bradan, were invaluable in giving me a strong foundation and the tools needed for me to begin expanding into freelance work.

Experience with casual ‘one-nighters’, steady lounge work and some light studio work gave me the diversity I needed to become at least peripherally involved in the recording, television, radio, and live show aspects of the profession. Studying jazz (with pianists Ted Moses and Bob Erlendson) naturally enhanced this experience as did the valuable mentoring received from my performances with such notables as Ed Bickert, Don Thompson, Phil Nimmons, Pat LaBarbera., Dave McMurdo., and Pepper Adams.

An opportunity to spend time in Vancouver in 1979 evolved after two years into a re-location, as I became integrated into the work scene that ultimately offered me the privilege of performing with such artists as: Harry Connick Jr., Bernadette Peters, David Foster, Shari Ulrich, and Jerry Reed, and comedians Bob Hope, Joan Rivers, Don Rickles, Gary Shandling, and George Burns. I’ve worked regularly with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and on several major Broadway productions including ‘Evita’, ‘Cats’, ‘42nd Street’, ‘Joseph…’, ‘Cabaret’, and ‘A Chorus Line’. Assorted studio work also included CBC’s ‘The Beachcombers’ and other television variety shows and specials.

Phil Nimmons, and Juno Award winners Fraser MacPherson, Brad Turner, Hugh Fraser, and PJ Perry are some of the artists I have regularly and gratefully worked with in the jazz field, and through my early work with “Skywalk,” I also earned the opportunity to perform and be recorded at the Montreaux-Detroit Jazz Festival.

Alongside this career in Vancouver, I also worked as a private instructor for the Capilano College Commercial Music Program, a position that grew into a regular faculty position with what is now the Jazz Studies Degree Program. There I teach multi-levels of Improvisation and Small Ensemble, as well as privately.

The Trio

Having this faculty position, and with the gradual evolution within the music industry, I have found the time and motivation to focus more attention on jazz. In 2001 I released my first CD as a leader and in the trio format, “As it Was”, with bassist Andre LaChance, and drummer John Nolan. I continue to work in this format on a somewhat regular basis, and the trio has evolved in a way that bassist Adam Thomas and drummer Bernie Arai are the players who will be joining me on my upcoming second CD.

I enjoy incorporating new concepts into my playing and for that reason, the group tends to cover carefully-chosen and treated ‘standard’ material along with a few challenging jazz compositions, and is beginning to incorporate some self-composed material as well.

Other projects pending include Vancouver guitarist and friend, Bill Coon. We keep hinting at playing together more often, and it’s time that we did. We’ve had success with it in the past, so we both recognize the potential; a duo CD and perhaps some live work. I know Bill’s already done a fine CD with Oliver Gannon, but there are always new areas to explore.

This site promises online formal lessons and/or instructional material in the future, and I’m beginning to organize material and explore the format. It will take time but is, along with perhaps writing a book, a project that’s been on the back burner of mine for a number of years.

More to follow as things develop...