Al is an Oregon native who attended the University of Oregon School of Music majoring in music performance. After college, he moved to the Los Angeles area to be closer to the music scene, where he began performing with salsa bands, light orchestra and recording studios. Al traveled with a road band, The Brass Rail, throughout the Southwest performing pop, light jazz and dance music. In 1979 he formed his own 18-piece big band, Windmill, who quickly gained local notoriety as backup band to many noted entertainers. Among the performers were Shirley Temple Black, Jerry Vandyke, Milton Berle, Red Buttons, Joanne Worley, Billy Barty, Bob Hope, George Burns and Donald O'Conner. In 1990, returning to his classical roots, he formed a brass quintet, Bare Brass. They were quite active on the senior concert circuit for several years. In 1998 Al returned to the Pacific Northwest settling in Federal Way where he and his wife Karen currently reside. Since his return, he has become the music director of St Columba's Episcopal Church, a member of the Highline Concert Band, a regular sub with the Rainier Symphony, and second trumpet with the Bellevue Opera. He also performs with a jazz trio and is the principal trumpet and one of the founding fathers of the Black Diamond Brass Quintet.
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