Photo by Chris Drukker

Whether you’ve heard guitarist Dave Stryker leading his own group (with 33 CD’s as a leader to date), or as a featured sideman with Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff, and many others, you know why the Village Voice calls him “one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years.” He was recently voted once again into the 2022 Downbeat Critics and Readers Poll for the 12th time.

…one of the most joyous feels around. –Pat Metheny

DAVE’S NEW CD  AS WE ARE IS HERE! NEWSFLASH: AS WE ARE VINYL JUST ARRIVED!  (If you have any problems ordering it on the site it is also available as both download and physical CD/LP at Dave’s bandcamp page.)

“With As We Are, the jazz gods have alighted on the guitarist and elevated his playing, his composing, his soloing, and his music. A beautiful, bittersweet concept album, As We Are includes pianist/ arranger Julian Shore, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Brian Blade, who convey new-found depth and empathy to Stryker’s compositions. A shimmering string quartet led by Sara Caswell enhances some of the finest compositions of his 30-year career….2022 is a great time to be Dave Stryker. And to be a lover of his music, and the gift that is As We Are.” Ken Micallef / Jazz Times Jan 2022

BAKER’S CIRCLE stayed in the Top 10 for 21 weeks (#2 for 3 Weeks) on the JazzWeek Radio Chart, and made several Best of 2021 year-end lists. You can order right here on the site. Dave’s previous CD “Blue Soul”  with Bob Mintzer and the WDR Big Band hit #1 for 3 weeks on the JazzWeek Radio chart, and stayed on the charts for 25 weeks in 2020. If you’d like a digital download of Blue Soul or any of Dave’s CD’s please visit his Bandcamp page.  Dave’s last CD “Eight Track III” hit #1 for 6 weeks and #3 most played for the year on the JazzWeek Radio chart. It received great reviews including 4 Stars in Downbeat and several best of the year including New York Times and Rolling Stone.  “Messin’ with Mister T” is a celebration of the man he worked with for over a decade — Stanley Turrentine, “Mister T” — with ten of the greatest tenor sax players on the scene today. It went to #1 on JazzWeek Radio and stayed in the Top 50 for 20 weeks and received great reviews including 4 1/2 stars in Downbeat magazine. *JUST IN: Dave Stryker’s Jazz Guitar Improvisation Method Vol. 3 book is now available here.

…one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years. –Village Voice

Most recent blog post

• Dave Stryker Trio opening for Steely Dan’s Earth After Hours 2022 Summer Tour! – Hello Friends! We have had a ball opening for Steely Dan’s Earth After Hours tour this summer. We have 4 dates left next week: Aug 7th in Bridgeport CT and Aug 10,12,13 at the Capital Theatre in Port Chester NY.  More info at www.steelydan.com. If anyone would like a Dave Stryker Trio / Steely Dan Tour T Shirt you can order it here.  We just finished performing the music from As We Are at Birdland in NYC July 5-9 with the whole band from the record: John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Julian Shore and Sara Caswell leading the string quartet. As We Are Vinyl has arrived (!) and you can order it here. More dates have been posted in the itinerary section of this site.  As We Are is here. This is a long-time dream project featuring John Patitucci, Brian Blade, and String Quartet arranged by pianist Julian Shore. Here is what Jazz Times has said: “With As We Are, the jazz gods have alighted on the guitarist and elevated his playing, his composing, his soloing, and his music. A beautiful, bittersweet concept album, As We Are includes pianist/ arranger Julian Shore, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Brian Blade, who convey new-found depth and empathy to Stryker’s compositions. A shimmering string quartet led by Sara Caswell enhances some of the finest compositions of his 30-year career….2022 is a great time to be Dave Stryker. And to be a lover of his music, and the gift that is As We Are.” More gig announcements coming soon… My CD Baker’s Circle stayed on the JazzWeek Radio chart for 21 weeks (#2 for 3 weeks)and was #10 for 2021. It made several best of the year lists. Physical CD’s are available right here on the site.  If you’d like to digitally download Baker’s Circle, Blue Soul or any of my albums please visit my Bandcamp page. I hope you enjoy the music! After 2020’s successful big band outing, Blue Soul, I’m back with my organ quartet with the addition of cutting-edge tenor player Walter Smith III. Baker’s Circle features my originals as well as a couple Eight Track gems and a tip of the hat to my former boss Stanley Turrentine. Along with Smith III, this recording features my working band of Jared Gold on organ and McClenty Hunter on drums and adds Cuban percussionist Mayra Casales to three tracks as well. I hope you’ll check it out. Some more good news: Blue Soul  with Bob Mintzer and the WDR Big Band hit #1 for 3 weeks in June and stayed on the charts for 25 weeks!   Please order some CD’s or books if you like! You can also sign up for lessons at my online school at ArtistWorks . I have put a lot of time into this site and look forward to meeting and working with anyone who wants to learn more about jazz – all levels are welcome. Come by and check it out: http://artistworks.com/join#dave-stryker  Dave Stryker’s Jazz Improvisation Method Vol III is hot off the press and available right here on this site .  Thanks to the readers and writers who voted me once again into the 2020 Downbeat Poll. Much Appreciated! Hope to see you soon and stay safe! Dave Stryker                more info at www.steelydan.com. If anyone would like a Dave Stryker Trio / Steely Dan Tour T Shirt you can order it here.  Dave Stryker Trio opening for Steely Dan Earth After Hours Summer Tour last 4 dates: Aug 7- Bridgeport CT Aug 10,12,13- Port Chester, NY Also we just finished performing the music from As We Are at Birdland in NYC July 5-9 with the whole band from the record: John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Julian Shore and Sara Caswell leading the string quartet. As We Are Vinyl has arrived (!) and you can order it here. As We Are is here. This is a long-time dream project featuring John Patitucci, Brian Blade, and String Quartet arranged by pianist Julian Shore. Here is what Jazz Times has said: “With As We Are, the jazz gods have alighted on the guitarist and elevated his playing, his composing, his soloing, and his music. A beautiful, bittersweet concept album, As We Are includes pianist/ arranger Julian Shore, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Brian Blade, who convey new-found depth and empathy to Stryker’s compositions. A shimmering string quartet led by Sara Caswell enhances some of the finest compositions of his 30-year career….2022 is a great time to be Dave Stryker. And to be a lover of his music, and the gift that is As We Are.” More gig announcements coming soon… My CD Baker’s Circle stayed on the JazzWeek Radio chart for 21 weeks (#2 for 3 weeks)and was #10 for 2021. It made several best of the year lists. Physical CD’s are available right here on the site.  If you’d like to digitally download Baker’s Circle, Blue Soul or any of my albums please visit my Bandcamp page. I hope you enjoy the music! After 2020’s successful big band outing, Blue Soul, I’m back with my organ quartet with the addition of cutting-edge tenor player Walter Smith III. Baker’s Circle features my originals as well as a couple Eight Track gems and a tip of the hat to my former boss Stanley Turrentine. Along with Smith III, this recording features my working band of Jared Gold on organ and McClenty Hunter on drums and adds Cuban percussionist Mayra Casales to three tracks as well. I hope you’ll check it out. Some more good news: Blue Soul  with Bob Mintzer and the WDR Big Band hit #1 for 3 weeks in June and stayed on the charts for 25 weeks!   Please order some CD’s or books if you like! You can also sign up for lessons at my online school at ArtistWorks . I have put a lot of time into this site and look forward to meeting and working with anyone who wants to learn more about jazz – all levels are welcome. … More →