He attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where he majored in music education.

In 1980 he moved to New York City where he got a break in the jazz world when Stan Getz invited him to tour in Europe.

He has worked with Tony Allen, Arthur Blythe, Randy Brecker, Oscar Brown Jr., Bobby Byrd, Don Cherry, George Coleman, Lynn Collins, Ravi Coltrane, Pee Wee Ellis, Sonny Fortune, Kenny Garrett, Stan Getz, Benny Golson, Martha High, Toninho Horta, David Liebman, Cheikh Lo, Joe Lovano, Vusi Mahlasela, Maceo Parker, Chris Potter, Mahotella Queens, Dewey Redman, James Spaulding, Stanley Turrentine, and Fred Wesley.

His students have included Bill Carrothers, Maria Schneider and David Helbock) in Austria, Japan, and the United States.

[2] With Kilimandscharo Dub & Riddim Society With Three of a Kind Austrian Syndicate (Helbock, Madsen, Pirker, Preuschl, Spieler) With Fred Ho With Mario Pavone With Fred Wesley With Carla White With others