Piano Lessons

Professionally, Rusty has performed and recorded with artists as diverse as The Original Blues Brothers Band (with “Blue Lou” Marini, Steve Cropper, Tom “Bones” Malone and Eddie Floyd), “Little” Steven Van Zandt, Southside Johnny, Bo Diddley, Aretha Franklin, Melba Moore, Ronnie Spector, John Tropea and Milt Jackson. He has worked live and in recording studios as a bandleader, producer, string and horn arranger and sideman. His 4 full-length albums of mostly original material can be found on streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music. He has written music for film and television as well, including a 15-year stint as composer-in-residence for the film and video department of the Library of Congress in Washington DC. His touring career has taken him to all 48 states in the continental U.S. and to 31 foreign countries on every continent except Antarctica. With his partner and wife, singer / songwriter / vocal coach, Claire Cloud, Rusty has co-led various bands and released a joint CD, “Every Little Dream” in addition to running their LLC, Cloudburst Productions: www.cloudmusic.com

For over 22 years, mostly at Lagond Music School, Rusty has taught piano (Jazz, R&B, Blues and various other styles), composition, arranging, and improvisational theory. Among his students are winners of the DownBeat Student Music awards and recipients of jazz scholarship awards from the Rockland County public school system. He brings his wealth of experience to working with young people in both private lessons and ensembles. To quote: “My greatest validation as a teacher happens on the day the students don’t need me anymore. That means I’ve done my job.”

Education:

Brandywine High School, DE
Wilmington Music School, DE
Shenandoah Conservatory
School of Hard Knocks, NYC