You’ve probably heard Dave Stryker, guitarist, lead his own band (with 23 CDs), or playing sideman with Stanley Turrentine and Jack McDuff. He is able to communicate to new audiences by combining his jazz-blues approach with a soulful blues feel. His latest CD, “Blue Strike”, has been on many Best of 2011 lists such as Tom Reney/New England Pulic Radio and WBGO Jazz Radio. Dave Stryker was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He moved to New York City from there in 1980. After making a name for himself in the local music scene he joined Jack McDuff’s band for two years, 1984-1985. McDuff was often on the road, literally traveling in a van across the country. McDuff and McDuff worked a steady gig at Dude’s Lounge in Harlem for four nights a week. This was his first break. He enjoyed the experience and paid his dues nightly with the soulful jazz pianist. Stanley Turrentine, a tenor saxophonist, would sometimes sit in at Stryker’s table at Dude’s Lounge. Turrentine invited Stryker to join his quintet after McDuff had left. He played at every major festival, concert hall, and club in the world with the legendary saxophonist from 1986 to 1995. Two Turrentine CDs feature him (Stanley recorded Stryker’s song “Sidesteppin”. Turrentine allowed Stryker to perform with jazz legends such as Dizzy Gillespie or Freddie Hubbard. Stryker realized the importance of his own sound after ten years of playing with the legendary tenor. Stanley continued to work with Dave and he was there for his final week at The Blue Note in NYC when he died in September 2000. Stryker knew early on that he enjoyed playing jazz standards and had to contribute something to the music. His writing and playing are what he believes is the basis of his musical expression. Over 130 of his compositions have been recorded and published. 18 of these compositions, which are from the first five SteepleChase music CD’s, can be found in the book titled The Music of Dave Stryker (SteepleChase Music), which can be ordered via this website. Stanley Turrentine and Kevin Mahogany are some of the other artists that have recorded his music. Dave continues to perform with The Stryker / Slagle Band, as well as other projects such as The Dave Stryker Organ Trio and The Blue to the Bone Band. The Stryker / Slagle Band has performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival and The Blue Note in Las Vegas as well as at The Stryker / Slagle Band’s 2003 Japan tour. Sideman work includes vocalist Kevin Mahogany’s band, Dave writing and arranging music to Kevin’s Telarc album Pride and Joy and Another Time and Another Place on Warner Bros, as well as tours of Europe and Japan, Brazil and Poland, Carnegie Hall, and other countries. He has also worked with Blue Note saxophonist Javon Jack and pianist Eliane Elias. As a sideman, he has been featured on more than 50 CDs. Stryker, as a producer, compiled The Guitar Artistry Of Billy Rogers, which is the only record that features the amazing jazz playing of the late underground legend, who was also his friend, former teacher, and member of Crusaders. Evidence Music also released “A Tribute To Grant Green”. Dave also teaches privately as well as at the Aebersold Jazz Workshop, Litchfield Jazz Fest Camp, The Veneto/ New School Workshop in Italy. Dave is an adjunct professor at Montclair State University’s The Cali School for the Arts. Amazon.com has his book, “Dave Stryker’s Jazz Guitar Improvisation Method”, published by Mel Bay Publishing. from http://davestryker.com
