What instruments do you play?
I play a lot of stringed instruments including: guitar, violin, mandolin, mandola, oud, cittern, saz, and domra.

What styles of music do you play?
My band and I play most of the major American musical styles including, jazz, rock, swing, disco, blues, bluegrass, country, folk, cajun, and classical. In addition, we play European styles including Klezmer, Irish, Portugese, Italian, Finnish waltzes and tangos, and the Greek repetoire. The band also plays Middle Eastern music, Argentine tangos, and Brazilian samba, chorro, and bossa. Merengues and salsa too!

Where can your music be heard?
These days I play primarily at large gatherings and social celebrations. I find the greatest joy in using my skills and the gifts of my musicians to focus the joy and magic of the rites of passage. Additionally, I provide musical entertainment and diversion tailored to the corporate and business environment. I also compose music for film, television and industrial events. This music can be heard on broadcast and cable television, National Public Radio, The BBC and many other media outlets.

How many people are in your band?
The size of the ensemble for a given occasion will depend on a number of factors such as the repertoire required, the size of the gathering and role that the music will play.
     For instance, a nine-piece band would likely overwhelm an intitmate gathering of 60 people but might not be sufficient for a gathering of 300 or more. Rather than impose my musical vision I prefer to allow each event to tell me the musical circumstances which will most successfully complement the gathering.

How much do you cost?
The fee for my musical services is typically based on a cost per musician per hour plus associated technical costs. My fee for music composition and production is calculated on a case-by-case basis.

How do I get in touch with you?
Just e-mail me at radiogumbo@aol.com or call me at 847-674-5898. I will return your phone or email promptly.

What is your favorite Chinese Restaurant in Chicago?
Hong Min in Chinatown.

What are your five favorite movies?
"That Obscure Object of Desire" (Buñuel), "The Shout" (Skolimowsky), "Lolita" (Kubrick), "The Godfather" (Coppola), and "Knife in the Water" (Polanski)

What books would you recommend these days?
"American Pharaoh" by Mayor Richard J. Daley and Adam Cohen
"Positively 4th Street" by David Hajdu
Coleman Barks' translations of Rumi

Can I talk to people who you've played for?
I will gladly e-mail you references on request.

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