Born into a musical family in Brooklyn, New York, Neil's earliest musical influences were the British Invasion groups of the early and mid sixties: The Beatles, The Kinks, The Moody Blues, etc. His Mom, Jean, was a professional singer who sang - in Italian - on radio in New York and Philadelphia. Neil began studying the piano as a young boy and by his teen years he was applying classical and jazz styles to his improvisational leanings. He studied Classical Music with Helen Berta and Jazz with Peter Viani both based in New York City. Although piano is Neil's main instrument, he also sings and plays guitar and drums.

By the 70's his influences included Progressive Rock groups such as Genesis, Yes, Nektar, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Be Bop Deluxe, and Frank Zappa. At the same time, Jazz-Fusion artists such as Jean Luc Ponty and Chick Corea were having a key influence. As an early teen, he composed his first song…beginning a lifelong commitment to composition and songwriting.

In his teens, Neil founded his first original groups, performing in local clubs in the New York City area. In the early 80's he joined the group, 'The Paladins', who released an EP, were featured on FM radio, and played the New York / New Jersey area. Neil also played piano for the Oldies groups 'The Del Vikings' and 'Louis Lyman' (Frankie Lyman and the Teenagers), performing in such venues as the Beacon Theatre in New York City.

Relocating to Massachusetts in 1984 Neil formed the original group 'Mindzeye'. Mindzeye performed in the central Massachusetts and Boston areas and released the album 'Looking In'. During the 80's Neil also performed with the regionally known R&B group 'Sluggo' where he grew to appreciate and apply the fundamentals of Blues and R&B piano that continue to complement his style today. Sluggo still regroups once a year or so for a benefit or the Spring Jam at Greendale's Pub in Worcester.

Neil joined 'Wilder Road' in the mid 90's and for over two years performed shows in Boston and in the Manchester & Nashua, New Hampshire areas. 'Wilder Road' twice performed in the WGIR-FM Rock 101 studios in Manchester, was simulcast live on WHOB 106.3FM radio, and produced a CD that received significant FM airplay. With 'Wilder Road', Neil performed with Brad Delp of the super-group 'Boston' and members of 'The Fools'.

Beginning in the mid-90's Neil began performing as a solo artist. This new direction was influenced by his desire to revisit the storytelling, activist, and the more intimate aspect of songs and performing. Artists such as Loreena McKennit, Phil Ochs, Beck, Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, Cat Stevens, Ray Davies, Bob Dylan and others began to have a huge influence on him.

As a veteran bandleader, award winning songwriter-performer, and teacher, Neil embarks on a solo career armed with an impressive ability to transform emotion into song in a warm and compelling way. His combination of influences emerges as an identifiable and unique sound. Song themes include relationships, social protest, animal rights, and spirituality.

In 1996 Neil released his first solo effort, the CD entitled 'One Life'; it was met with critical acclaim. About this time, Neil's new age composition, 'Lhadra', found a home in Japan for a Meditation program series. Neil's second solo release 'Foreverywhere' in 2001 produced the award winning song 'You Know'. The song 'Draw the Line' hit number 8 on the local charts in Worcester in 2001.

Neil also composes for film, most recently scoring the music for Mark Mendoza's film 'CATHEDRAL' – you can read more about the film in The News portion of this site (the soundtrack is available on the Bonus Disk listed in The Music section ).

At the moment, Neil is actively teaching and writing new songs for his next foray onto the stage. Stay tuned.