My musical journey began by playing the trumpet in Elementary and Jr. High School. In the seventh grade I made the transition over to the Tuba. The fact was that everyone else played the trumpet too and there was a great need for someone to play the Tuba. That is where I started and fell in love with the foundation of the bass and how very important it was to the overall sound of music in general. I started playing the electric bass when I was 14 years old and my first instructor was Mr. Dan Bowens. I continued my musical journey at Suitland Sr. High School and at Prince Georges Community College. I am also one of the founding fathers of the popular 1980’s Go-Go band named Ayre Rayde. We played in and around the Washington, DC area for about 10 years. That is where I truly learned the essence of funk and the importance of locking in the groove with the drummer. I am also a managing partner and the bass guitarist for Phaze II. Phaze II is a six-piece contemporary jazz band that has been performing together in and around the Washington, DC area for close to 20 years. Phaze II was chosen the winners of the 2005 Capital Jazz Challenge Competition. This competition was held at the 13th Annual Capital Jazz Festival in Columbia, MD. We were the house band for the Catch a Rising Star Showcase at the Capital Jazz Festival where I served as the Music Director. I am also the bassist at Victory Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA, Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Arlington, VA and St. Matthews Baptist Church in Capitol Heights, MD. In 2008, I had the honor of playing for Pope Benedict in front of about 60,000 people at Nationals Stadium in Washington, DC. In 2010, I had the opportunity to travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for three months and perform with Hajji & the Jump Street Band. I also served as MD for the legendary Regina Belle and in 2016 had the opportunity to travel to South Africa with Regina and legendary The Manhattans. These were three life changing experiences that I will never forget. I have also had the privilege of working with such great artist as; Regina Belle, Kenny Lattimore, El DeBarge, Frank McComb, The Softones, The Intruders, CeCe Peniston, MeL’isa Morgan, Paul Taylor, Club Nouveau, Matthew Whitaker, Conya Doss, Bob Baldwin, Tim Bowman, Tony Exum Jr., Dee Lucas, Keith Killgo, Ricky Wellman, Lori Jenaire, Marcus Anderson, BK Jackson, Althea Rene, Gail Jhonson, Oli Silk, Lynn Fiddmont, Kevin Whalum, Cindy Bradley, Jackiem Joyner, Lin Roundtree, Special Occasions, NexXzit, Youthful Spirits, The Men for Christ, and the late Sam Smith along with countless other artist. I would like to thank my loving parents Elbert & Mary Norton for all of your love and support. A very special thank you to my queen Ramona for being my number one fan! To the Parker family & my VTMBC family thanks for always being there for me! Most of all I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing me with the ability and having the privilege to make the beautiful sound of music
