 From 1981 to 1986 he toured with the jazz grand master Lionel Hampton as lead saxophonist and musical director of the band.He also performed with Chico Hamilton's band from 1988 to 1989.In the late 1980s he formed his own groups, of quartets, quintets, and a group and album devoted to Brazilian music, "Spirits Rebellious" (Alacra), as well as founding Machine Gun, a free-funk-free-jazz-rock band with guitarist/producer/engineer Robert Musso.