Dave began his forays into music at an early age, receiving piano lessons from his mother and regularly attending live music events with his family. Before long he moved onto the clarinet, studying under Jenny Knight and Emma Cypher-Neale. As a clarinet player Dave helped lead his school's concert band, including conducting at a number of concerts. He also played in and conducted the West Wiltshire Wind Band over a number of years.

 

Alongside his formal music study Dave fostered a passion for performing by playing drums in a local punk band All Else Fails and had his first professional gigs at the age of 16 with the function outfit Geisha House, playing at weddings and events in the Wiltshire area.The combination of these experiences led Dave to study BA Music at the University of Southampton. Upon his arrival he chose jazz alto saxophone as his second-study; this has proven to be a defining decision in his career. Before long, under the tutelage of David Bitelli, alto saxophone became his first instrument, a lifelong passion and ongoing challenge.

 

During his time at university Dave composed for and performed as part of modern jazz septet Diaspora. As well as this, Dave has performed alongside British jazz greats Soweto Kinch, Abram Wilson, Jason Marsalis, Reuben James, The World Service Project and Denys Baptiste. In his final summer at Southampton University, he went on tour to Rotterdam with the Southampton University Jazz Orchestra where they performed at North Sea Jazz Festival 2013.Since graduating Dave has been forging a reputation as an exciting, innovative and highly professional saxophonist incorporating live electronics. Currently, Dave is playing in a number of jazz outfits including his own sextet and as part of the guitar and sax duo. He is a busy session player with function and wedding bands across the UK and plays with the talented DB Horns, who tour with award-winning tribute acts ‘And Finally...Phil Collins’ and ‘Talon: Best of the Eagles’.

 

Dave is also a prolific nightclub musician, holding residencies in south coast clubs Cafe Parfait and Bonsai Lounge, with drummer Jake Horn as part of Sticks and Licks and as a soloist. This experience has allowed him to play alongside DJs to huge crowds at festivals like Bournemouth 7s 2014, which was attended by 30,000 people.

 

Dave has recorded an album with 16-piece afrobeat band, The Sea Slugs. Women, They Cause Fear was released independently on 2nd May 2015 and can be heard here. Dave had a busy summers with festivals including Glastonbury, Love Supreme, Shambala, Green Man  and many others.

Dave quickly established himself on the London scene and is playing regularly with Tiki, a dynamic trio playing up to date covers with top London session musicians. Since his arrival in the capital Dave performed sets at the legendary Ronnie Scott's and Windsor Castle and has provided entertainment for corporate clients including Ted Baker, Lidl, NAIM, Serco, HSBC, Lloyds TSB, Nationwide and a host of others. Dave has most recently been performing all over Europe with 'The Electric Pop Orchestra'.

Looking for new challenges and the opportunity to explore original music Dave has moved to Bristol to take part in the thriving, creative scene that has emerged there in recent years. Dave is currently performing with UK Jazz outfit Snazzback, his own quartet 'Lyrebird' as well as dub pioneers 'Mount Nakara' and tropical infusionist 'Hiphoppapotamus'.

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To hear samples of Dave’s work, head over to the media page.