Chip's obsession with Latin Jazz fills his bass playing, teaching, blogging, and composing full of clave . . .
I am a bass player, composer, educator, and writer from the San Francisco Bay Area with a passionate interest in Latin Jazz. I was first introduced to the music of Cuba and Brazil during my undergrad music studies at San Jose State University, and there was no turning back. Since then, I've focused my bass playing on a combination of Latin greats such as Israel “Cachao” Lopez and Jazz players like John Patitucci. My composition follows in the footsteps of Latin Jazz legends such as Tito Puente and Chucho Valdes. Academic studies have led me to Wesleyan University where I earned a Master's Degree in Ethnomusicology with a focus on Cuban popular music. I've had the priviledge to play with great musicians such as Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez, Karl Pereza, Mark Levine, and more. I am the Music Director at Sir Francis Drake High School, where I run a Jazz Big Band. I regularly update a blog entitled The Latin Jazz Corner. In fact, I'm not sure if there is a moment during the day when I'm not hearing clave in my head.
