Originally from New York, David's first musical endeavors included the cello and trombone. David studied trombone with the highly regarded Gene Brusiloff, the world renowned Empire Brass Quintet and at the Manhattan School of Music. In high school, his artful improvisation and skillful interpretation led him to be selected for All-County and All-State honors in both classical and jazz idioms. During college, David led his own quintet and managed and performed with the Columbia Jazz Band under the direction of Grammy winner Don Sickler. At that time David also began to turn his talent to the piano, forming a soul and R&B group with friends. Upon graduation from college, David started to focus solely on the keyboard instruments and was soon performing jazz and blues in New York City at famous venues like Dan Lynch's, The China Club, the Lone Star Roadhouse, and The Bitter End.
East Coast
Prior to moving to San Francisco, David resided in Washington, DC, where he was a highly sought after sideman, as well as a leader of several of his own groups. Known for his versatility, David gigged regularly with blues, jazz, funk and R&B bands. Highlights include his regular slots in the legendary Catfish Hodge Band, the Annie Sidley Band, and the multi-award winning Janine Wilson Band, as well as occasional work with some of DC's finest jazz, blues and R&B players, including Steve Wolf (Dr. John, Danny Gatton, The Nighthawks, Deanna Bogart, Bob Margolin, Chuck Berry, The Coasters, Bo Diddly, Pinetop Perkins, Charlie Musselwhite, Guitar Junior), John Previti (Danny Gatton, Charlie Byrd, Guitar Junior, Rick Whitehead), and Chuck Underwood (Patti LaBelle).
During his six years in DC, David performed at nearly every venue in the region, including the State Theatre in Falls Church, the legendary Blues Alley, the Kennedy Center, Whitlow's on Wilson in Arlington, and Madam's Organ. David also had the pleasure of appearing at numerous festivals including DC's National Capital BBQ Battle, the Red River Revel in Shreveport, Louisiana, the Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, and the Baltimore Blues Festival. He has performed with bands as the opener for WAR, Shirley Horn, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, The Radiators, Derek Trucks, Shemeika Copeland and more.
West Coast
Since moving to San Francisco in 2003, David has been fortunate to record and/or perform with many of the region's greats, including Cathy Richardson (Jefferson Starship, Big Brother and the Holding Co.), Kathi McDonald (Ike and Tina Turner, Joe Cocker), Linda Imperial (Jefferson Starship), Diana Mangano (Jefferson Starship), David Freiberg (Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service), Prairie Prince (Journey), Mario Cipollina (Huey Lewis and the News), Derick Hughes (Prince, Roberta Flack), Lloyd Gregory, Bill Norman, John Hanford (The Fabulous Wailers), Zack Smith, Garth Webber, Dave Workman, Alvon Johnson, Daniel Castro, Ron Perry (Susan Tedeschi, John Lee Hooker), Rich Kirch (John Lee Hooker, Elvin Bishop), David Hayes (Van Morrison), Johnny Harper (Maria Muldaur, Barbara Dane), Archie Lee Hooker, Mari Mack, Little Wolf, Lisa Kindred, Cathy Lemons, Dave Workman, Johnny Nitro, Bryant Mills (John Lee Hooker, Boz Skaggs, Charlie Musslewhite, Michelle Schocked), Willie Riser, Kelvin Dixon, Takezo, Freddie Hughes, Chick Willis, Jimmy Hobson, Tony Coleman, David Stallings, Kenny "Blue" Ray, Hollywood Jenkins, Bobbie Webb, Carl Green, Freddie Roulette, John Graham, Jon Lawton, Bobby Black, Eddie Neon, Vern Hall, Vance Ehlers, Mari Mack, Marcus Scott, Michael Skinner, Terry Baker, Chuck Trujillo, Johnny Ace, Steve Valverde, Jimmy Hobson, Bernard Anderson, Tia Carroll, Robert "Hollywood" Jenkins, the TJ Moore Band, Dennis Geaney, Pat Duffey, RJ Franco, Patrick McKenna and many others.
David was a member of the late, world-renowned singer Kathi McDonald's Bay Area band, recording two albums and performing with Kathi McDonald and Friends when Kathi she was in town. He is currently a member vocalist Tia Carroll's band, guitarist Dave Workman's band, Workman's Comp, the Eddie Neon Band, and Elliot's Evil Plan, featuring Elliott Shannonhouse and Cathey Cotten. David was a founding member of Johnny Harper's band Carnival, playing funky New Orleans covers and originals, all with 3-part vocal harmonies. He is currently a member of Workman's Comp (led by guitarist Dave Workman), and the Eddie Neon Band. David was a founding member of the popular and authentic sounding Little Wolf and the Hellcats, appearing at numerous venues in the Bay Area, including Lou's and Biscuits and Blues, and happily appear with his good friend Little Wolf as often as possible. For 3 years, he performed regularly alongside guitarist Rich Kirch and bassman Ron Perry, as part of the Coast to Coast Blues Band with Archie Lee Hooker. He appears from time to time with blues and soul singer Freddie Hughes. He used to contribute regularly to the ever popular Willie G Band.
