This Chicago-born and Portland- and Manzanita-based bassist says that being a musician is just what I was meant to do.

What song makes you crank up the volume?

The first song I learned on bass: Ramble On or anything else by Led Zeppelin.

Who is your favorite overlooked or underappreciated musician?

Curtis Salgado. He is getting a lot of recognition these days in his genre, but, unfortunately, soul, blues and R&B does not get the level of recognition that it used to.

What made you get involved with music?

I just always felt it is what I was meant to do. I learned at a early age, and then I went down a different career path before returning to music and discovering it is what I was meant to do for a living.

What instruments do you play?

I play the upright and electric bass. I have played the trumpet, piano, organ and guitar but onstage, bass is where its at for me.

Where can people hear you?

I play regularly in the Northwest with the Duffy Bishop band. Over the past year I have played with several groups on the coast and produced shows in Manzanita. This has included Curtis Salgado, Duffy Bishop, Rich Delgrosso, Mary Flower and Julie Yanko. I intend to do the same next year at various venues in and around Manzanita. For New Years Eve I performed with Mary Flower and Julie Fig Yanko at Vino in Manzanita.

Where were you born and where do you live now?

I was born in Illinois in the suburbs of Chicago. Now I split my time between Portland and Manzanita. I love living on the coast, but as a musician I need the opportunities and access that a larger city provide, so I am a dual citizen.

What musicians inspire you?

More and more every day. My tastes have changed over the years and I still like it all, but these days I really appreciate old-school jazz and blues from the 1950s. There is a long list of bass players that I appreciate like Ray Brown, Paul Chambers, Leroy Vinnegar, Willie Dixon, Ernest Big Crawford, John Paul Jones and James Jamerson.

How do you occupy your time when you arent playing?

Hanging out with my son, Go Kart racing, mushroom hunting, fishing, surfing, and unfortunately I am spending too much time now on home remodeling.

What do you like about living on the coast?

I would go on and on about fishing, surfing and nature, but I think it comes down to a more relaxed living and less hustle and bustle. Its a great break from my otherwise super busy life.