Part 9/14:
Pursuing a master’s degree at the New England Conservatory in Boston, Rick further refined his skills, working as an assistant to prominent faculty like Miroslav Vitous, and engaging with a vibrant jazz scene. A memorable discovery was hearing the Boston conservatory students perform at a café near Berkeley College, where Rick encountered future jazz stars such as Iden Essen and Donnie McCaslin. These encounters confirmed his desire to learn from and collaborate with such talent.
His friendship with Iden Essen, whom he met during his time at Berkeley, became a major influence, especially as Rick experimented with improvisation and recorded interpretations of Iden’s music—an inspiration that extended to his work with his son, Dylan, helping develop his ear and musical understanding.