Early mentors include clarinetists Kenny Davern, Tony Scott and soprano saxophonist George Probert.

He moved to Crescent City in 1994[3] and enjoyed varied work before leaving to join the Jim Cullum Jazz Band in San Antonio, Texas in 1996.

For nearly three years, he appeared nightly as their featured clarinetist and recorded episodes of the syndicated radio program Riverwalk Jazz.

[4] During this residency, he formed the Jazz Traditions Project and Django à la Créole.

In July 2010, he debuted the "Treat It Gentle Suite", a concerto for clarinet and jazz band with the Minnesota Orchestra.