Born in New York City, Hal is a versatile woodwind specialist -saxophones, flutes, clarinets, oboe and bassoon. He has been performing and recording with many of the Bay Areas finest musicians since 1976. Currently performing with Jeff Sanford’s Cartoon Jazz Orchestra and Septet, The Berkeley Saxophone Quartet, The Dave Parker Quintet, The California Pops Orchestra, and the Golden Gate Park Band. He has also appeared with Carol Channing, Terry Gibbs, Eric Marienthal, Bill Perkins, Bob Florence, Omar Clay, Lenny Niehaus, Fred Radke, and at The North Beach Jazz Festival.

As a Bay Area freelance musician, Hal also performs with many original Jazz and World music groups. Theater experience includes several musical productions, television soundtracks, the Bay Area Revels, San Francisco Children’s Opera, San Francisco Mime Troupe, Magic Theater, San Francisco Playhouse, Broadway By the Bay, Marines Memorial Theater, Berkeley Playhouse, Contra Costa Musical Theater and the Peninsula Civic Light Opera. Classical endeavors have included various chamber groups, Bay Area orchestras, Verismo Opera and a stint with The Guadalajara Symphony Orchestra.

Hal recently retired after a long and distinguished career as an instrumental music teacher in the San Francisco Public Schools.