[1] Born Ronaldo Antunacci Charles Affif in Pittsburgh, he is mostly self-taught.
[2] At the age of twelve, he took lessons from his uncle, guitarist Ron Anthony.
[3][4] In 1984, after graduating from high school, he moved to Los Angeles, was taught by Joe Pass,[4] and worked with Dick Berk, Pete Christlieb, Dave Pike, and Jack Sheldon, then a couple years later moved to New York City.
[3][5] He led a band which included Colin Bailey, Brian O'Rourke, Andy Simpkins, and Sherman Ferguson.
He has worked with Michael Carvin, David Kikoski, Ralph Lalama, and Leon Parker.