In 2001 Rick returned to the U.S. after a 17 year successful freelance music career in Europe residing in Munich, Germany. Rick was born in Syracuse, New York where he began studying saxophone at the age of 11. Rick was 14 years old when he began participating in State and National Jazz competitions which consequently led to performances with scholastic as well as professional Big Bands.Rick was awarded a scholarship to the famed University Of Miami where he performed with some of the Jazz departments top ensembles, receiving Down Beat honors between 1979-1983