Bootsie started out as a drummer,
growing up in the Richard Allen projects in North Philadelphia. Bill Cosby,
who once featured Bootsie on his TV show, was a childhood
buddy. At 16, Bootsie began a government-funded ten-year study of Jazz at Graterford,
an exclusive institution in the country near Philadelphia. The discipline and security
provided by Graterford provided an environment where Bootsie quickly learned to play
the saxophone which was a gift from a relative. Of the many artists-in-residence there, he credits
Freddy Lacey, who had played guitar with Lester Young, as an important theory teacher to him.
Since leaving Graterford, Bootsie has played with every important jazz artist to come
through Philly, and has recorded with organist Don Patterson, Papa John (and Joey)
DeFrancesco and released three solo albums beginning with "Been Here All Along" in
1988. His sound is instantly indentifiable, articulating each note no matter what
the tempo. Bootsie exemplifies the Philly "Hard Bop" sound.
Look for Bootsie's CD "You Leave Me Breathless" produced by The French Riviera Inc.
His new CD "Hello", featuring the same players (with a few guests) is also available!!
Bootsie Plays a Cannonball 1998 Knight Tenor, a '98 Knight gold lacquered alto and a
Big Bell silver curved soprano.
Check out more information about Bootsie and hear media clips from his albums
here.
