Chief Cherry

Biggest influence for music: My father, Robert Howard Cherry 1930-2007
Dad was a gospel quartet vocalist and a fan of jazz, country, big band and of course old gospel music. He introduced me to Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby.
From there I discovered Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Harry Connick Jr (Blue Light Red Light, then the When Harry Met Sally soundtrack).
Then Charlie Parker and John Coltrane got on my radar in high school. I didn't understand it at all at first, but I was intrigued and interested.
Ben Herod met me during summer fine arts theater program in high school and mentored me by showing me an extensive jazz music collection, and we started getting together for lessons and listening sessions with his music collection. This was a huge turning point for me.

In January of 1997, three guys, Ben Herod (saxophone player), John McGuire (trombonist) and Jason Moylan (trumpet player) met with me in the Brevard Community College band room to start a swing band. They helped me name the group as well. Ben asked me if I had a nickname. I told him in high school my football coach called me Chief. He said, perfect- Chief Cherry it is then, they all agreed. Then they asked me what my favorite food was. I said I didn’t know, but I recently read that Red Beans & Rice was the favorite food of New Orleans legendary trumpeter, and early influence of mine, Louis Armstrong. So, we named the band Chief Cherry and His Red Beans and Rice.