Recognized as an accomplished pianist and composer whose playing was described as inventive, melodic, and soulful.
He was a student at Phillips Academy and counted among his classmates future actor Dana Delaney, poet Karl Kirchwey, software financier Peter Currie, and writer Nate Lee.
He was a pianist and arranger for the Buddy Rich Big Band.
His mother was a talented pianist, and he would sit next to her, listen, and copy what she was playing.
He listed Burt Bacharach as being among his favorite artists.
