Starting in middle school with band director George Magruder, he began devoting much of his time to the study of music.

While he was a student at Wheatley High School (Houston), he formed the band the Swingsters, then the Modern Jazz Sextet.

At Texas Southern University, he received coaching from members of the Houston Symphony Orchestra and other local professional musicians.

After moving to the west coast, he studied music at California State University, Los Angeles and with private instructors and mentors.

King, Grant Green, Grover Washington Jr., Quincy Jones, Marvin Gaye, Nancy Wilson, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London, and the Rolling Stones.