Influences

I was born and grew up in the suburbs of Seattle, Washington in a town called Bellevue. It was very diverse and filled with hipsters, coffee drinkers, and moms in yoga pants.

Some of the early influencers of my music was Seattle’s jazz radio station, 98.9 that was always playing on our car’s radio. I grew up listening to jazz and also really loved Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Henry Mancini.

As a kid I loved to watch old movies with Doris Day singing or Bing Crosby crooning. I would stand in front of the television and sing. I remember as a child trying so hard to imitate the voices of my idols.

I didn’t realize how ingrained jazz was in my music until I began arranging trad tunes. The free form and easy listening style of jazz was something I unknowingly imitated.

Throughout the numerous classes I’ve had on tradition in the past month, I have begun to remember and recognize the traditions and musical styles that have formed me to be the musician and person that I am today. The fact that I am so far from home and the traditions that I grew up with has allowed me to look at my childhood and the beginnings of my musical journey with a new and unique point of view.