About the Music

One of the hardest things for a songwriter to do is classify their music, and new age music is especially vexing. It's not 'classical' enough for classical, and not acoustic enough for 'folk' or religious enough for 'Christian'. In any case, I've joined the ranks of other new age musicians like Enya, Loreena McKennitt, Kitaro, and Ryan Farish, and Vengalis, searching for a category for music that is more diverse than any other (IMHO) and yet is joined together by the way it makes you feel. New Age musicis that category. It's also known as Crossover Classical, and World music.

Like Enya, I love to use vocal layers and a soft style. 'Vitae Amandae' and 'Wonder' from my album "Seeker of Dreams" are closest to her vocal style, although many of my songs use similar recording techniques.

Like Loreena McKennitt, I love sexy, hypnotic drum rhythms and the art of storytelling. 'Possibility' and 'Pomona', are most like her style, while 'Light House in Maine' is a combination of the Loreena's story telling and Enya's harmonic styles. One thing you won't find in my music is death, and that's where Loreena and I part ways, at least musically.

Kitaro has a love of instrumental texture that's just captivating and I'm drawn to the different dimensions of the soundscapes that he carefully creates. While my songs are generally lyrical with melodies and verses, I share his love of instrumental texture and I try to bring that into my music.

Ryan Farish's bright, happy synthesized style has entertained millions on the weather channel, and my next album contains a song inspired by some of his delightful music. I don't have any music out in his style, but my next album will have some of his influences in it.

I grew up listening to Vengalis, and love his distinctive synthetic style. One of my oldest pieces, 'Blue Mars', reflects my Vengalis influences. I don't use synthesized vocals however; I'd much rather use my own.

I could probably go on about all the other artists who have influenced my work, but by then you'd be bored to tears. Better to listen to the music instead....