Jazz, funk, bossa nova, reggae, samba and hip-hop all have roots in the African Beat. All of the above can be classified as WORLD MUSIC. The combination of different cultural influences gives this music international appeal. You can hear the cross-cultural heritage of America in most popular music that we export to the world. Blues is at the roots of Jazz, Rock and Roll, and American folk music. Jazz is considered the only art form that was invented in the USA. Most Americans don't think of it as a "World Music", because we live here. But it was a true novelty, and a representation of blacks and whites blending together in the early 20th century. It was the Pop Music of the times. More and more, the popular music of our time is taking on international flavor. Recently, Brazil, and all of Latin America have had a huge influence. We are part of this new world cultural exchange called AMERICA.

Songs I have written and recorded over the years have their own uniqueness, mainly because of the diversity of my musical influences. I have always wanted to combine my favorite elements of the music I enjoy. The contrast of hot ryhthms and cool vocals and harmonies has always spoken to my soul. Whether it's the dynamic soul of Ray Charles, or the tropical funk and reggae of Bob Marley or Gilberto Gil, I can't resist the message. When horns and backup vocals bring it home, I feel the joy. What would Sinatra have been without horns? On the cooler side, Miles Davis was the ultimate in Jazz. But "cool" went even a step further in South America when Bossa Nova was invented in the late 50's. Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim took "cool" to another level  with a new way or writing songs. Joao Gilberto sang Jobim's compositions on a river of undulating guitar chords. There is no music more beautiful than this. Like the vision of a Goddess, or the Girl from Ipanema, there is something eternal about a great song. Music is the art of combining so many colors and elements, to bring out the beauty and the truth that is inside of us.