I'm a bassist, composer, and vocalist based in Chicago, IL. I recently graduated from the jazz program at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, and am currently a Fellow for OneBeat 2017, a program run through the U.S. State Department that brings together artists from around the world to tour with performances and educational workshops.

I'm a co-founder of The Liberation Music Collective, a contemporary jazz ensemble that makes protest music! We're a pretty eclectic array of musicians from around the U.S.A. and collaboratively create live performances, workshops, and studio recordings. We just released a new album, which has been exciting!

Most of the other work I do revolves around urban gardening and grassroots organizing in my community. Some passions in particular are growing food for cooperative living & organizing spaces, helping people resist gendered and State violence, and working to create safe places for LGBTQ+ Muslims.

In my free time I bike, swim, draw, write, cook vegetarian food, play with my cats, and crochet! My cats' names are Trouble and Grace, if you were wondering. Photos available upon request... :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'll be doing an artist residency and tour on the West Coast this fall, which will involve driving myself and all my musical gear from Chicago to Oregon, Colorado, California, and back again! I joined couchsurfing to find safe places for me and my gear to crash on the journey. Hopefully I will be able to return the favor soon and open up my home in Chi-town to you all too :)

Interests

• animals
• gardening
• social activism
• vegetarian cooking
• spanish
• jazz music
• urban gardening
• free jazz
• double bass

Music, Movies, and Books

FAVORITE MUSIC:
Erykah Badu
Björk
John Coltrane
Wayne Shorter
Thelonious Monk
Wayne Wallace
Hiatus Kaiyote
Bill Evans
The National
The Tallest Man On Earth
Benjamin Clementine

FAVORITE MOVIES:
Spirited Away
Roman Holiday
Valhalla Rising
My Neighbor Totoro
Dancer In The Dark

FAVORITE BOOKS:
Varjak Paw by S.F. Said
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya
Qur'an And Woman by Dr. Amina Wadud
Anger by Thich Nhat Hanh

And TV:
Hannibal
Twin Peaks
Rick and Morty
Parks and Rec
Arrested Development
House (when it was good...)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have these overalls with a large front pocket, and one time this tiny kitten let me put her in there and just walk around, her little face peeking up over the pocket. That was pretty amazing.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm interested in learning more about carpentry, website building, wilderness and herbal medicine, cybersecurity, quirky idioms in any foreign language, bike maintenance/repair, pottery, poetry, permaculture, and how to write grants, especially for 501(c)3's.

I can teach you about jazz, urban gardening, neuroscience, the music industry, how to fry tofu to perfection, and how to understand what the bassist is playing on your favorite records.

I can share travel stories, food, music recommendations, and good conversation.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I have travelled *a lot* in my life and am a very clean and respectful guest. Other than my upright bass, which is quite large, I am a discrete presence and mostly keep to myself.

If you feel like being social together, I am an excellent vegetarian cook and can make some meals for you/with you. I love animals and gardens and am happy to help take care of plants and furry friends. As a musician traveling with my instruments and gear, I would, of course, be down to jam anytime!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, China, Cuba, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Spain, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

England