since when do you play drums and why? I've played the drums since around 5 yrs old. I come from a musical family

which are your most important influences? Duke Ellington, Elvin Jones, Art Blakey, Miles, My Grandfather Allan David Mahr, Jimi Hendrix, Wayne Shorter & Woody Shaw

how do you define, nowadays, swing? Swing is a feeling of life and freedom, you either have it or you don't

which are your favorite contemporary jazz drummers? I've already mentioned them, although I have many drummers who inspired me, not all are jazz, Bill Bruford, Tiki Fullwood, Eric Gravatt and several percussionist.

when did you play better? is is recorded? now playing the best, and not recorded yet!

just by the way he plays can you distinguish a white drummer from a black one? No there are many great people drummer instrumentalist, so on and so forth, I don't see here race only professionalism, heart and sincerity.

do you consider yourself an african american drummer or a black american drummer? I consider my self a good musician of American Indian (Cree) and African decent.

do you still feel any African root? Yes, African and many roots.

gastronomy and drumming is there any special relationship between them? Yes, I love to cook and eat well, the better I eat the better I play.

tell us all about your next jazz project? I have many musical endeavors at the moment, much original music from jazz and other influences. And also the Coltrane Legacy with Reggie Workman and Charles Tolliver and a host of greats.

are you planning a group and repertoire of your own? I have always had a group and a repertoire, "Band Burrage", "Third Kind of Blue"

with whom do you feel more musically comfortable as sideman? Sonny Fortune, John Hicks, Wayne Shorter, Woody Shaw.

how is NY jazz scene? Slow and not moving progressively, too much young retro.

is it true that the jazz scene is easier for a black musician? No

do you know any good European jazz drummer? Daniel Humair, Alvin Queen has lived there so long and a few others.