Background

Raised in a music-filled Italian household, Rick began playing drums at family gatherings at age six.  He refined his technique under legendary mentors—including jazz icon Ed Shaughnessy, educator John DeFoor, and Fox Studio percussionist Hal Reese—drawing deep inspiration from Connie Kay’s subtle, tasteful approach to rhythm.

Rick’s career spans decades of performance, from touring with the Cal Poly Pomona Jazz Band and co-founding the 30-year Southern California show group "Something Extra with Jan" to performing as a percussionist in high-energy horn bands and singing 12 seasons with the Stanford Symphonic Chorus.  Now based in Carmel, he actively performs across the Monterey Bay area, leading his trio Cena Jazz every Thursday at Il Vecchio in Pacific Grove and expanding his group In The Mix to to accommodate our clients on the Monterey Peninsula featuring the region's finest jazz talent.  Rick continues to perform with In The Mix for special private events throughout California.