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. Dave’s new album As We Are was just voted one of the top albums of 2022 in the Downbeat Readers Poll and Dave was 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 at Birdland Tuesday Dec 6th! Dave voted into 2022 Downbeat Reader’s and Critic’s Poll on Guitar and As We Are voted as one of the Best Albums of 2022! – Hello Friends! We had a ball opening for Steely Dan’s Earth After Hours tour this summer. 20 dates! The audiences really gave our trio a lot of love and Donald Fagen and the Steely Dan band and crew couldn’t of been nicer. If anyone would like a commemorative Dave Stryker Trio / Steely Dan Tour T Shirt you can order it here. My trio will be playing Dec 6th at Birdland! with Jared Gold and McClenty Hunter sets at 7pm and 9:30pm. Check my itinerary page for more details on all upcoming gigs. Very happy to have been voted once again into the Downbeat Critics and Reader’s Polls for 2022. As We Are was also voted one of the top albums of 2022! Archive: 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
By Anonymous August 22, 2022 - 12:49 pm
Dave Stryker is one of greats .. His lines are inventive and fluid . Always a pleasure hearing Dave live
Scott in Lincoln
By Dave August 22, 2022 - 6:11 pm
Thank you Scott!
all the best
Dave
By Jeff Markham October 2, 2022 - 6:16 pm
Really enjoyed your performance at the Monterey Jazz Festival.
Love your tone and inventive lines.
Had some great players with you, especially Warren Wolf on the
vibraphones. My fave was the rendition of Pusherman Superfly ..
Excellent show and hope you’ll come back to MJF next year.
jeff
By Dave October 2, 2022 - 8:43 pm
Thanks Jeff! we had a ball at Monterey Jazz Fest and hope to be back soon! All the best Dave
By Dave October 2, 2022 - 8:44 pm
thanks Scott! Lincoln NE -know it well I’m from Omana…all the best Dave
By Stacy July 21, 2022 - 8:59 pm
Just saw you in Jacksonville…great show!
By Dave July 30, 2022 - 12:39 pm
Thanks Stacy! Glad you liked the show-Dave
By Jeff Berman June 30, 2022 - 10:07 am
Hi Dave. I saw your band open up for Steely Dan last night at Jones Beach in NY. The three of you were excellent.
There was a great Dave Stryker Trio/Steely Dan tour shirt for sale at the show but I didn’t have the moolah on me to buy it. Any idea if it will be made available for purchase online somehow?
By Dave July 1, 2022 - 4:17 pm
Hi Jeff
Glad you enjoyed the show. I haven’t had time to put the merch up on this site yet. If you’d like a shirt email me at [email protected] and I’ll send you one.
Thanks
Dave
UPDATE-Hi Jeff the T shirts are now available in the CD store! All the best – Dave
By Dave August 1, 2022 - 9:31 pm
Hi Jeff. The T shirts are now available in the CD store! All the best – Dave
By Mike Kravinsky June 26, 2022 - 11:42 am
Hi Dave, We were at the Wolf Trap show on June 25th. Great show! What was the name of your last song in the set? Loved it!
By Dave July 1, 2022 - 4:18 pm
HI Mike
thanks glad you enjoyed the show. The last song is a tune recorded by Stanley Turrentine my old boss. It’s called Trouble #2 by Harold Logan and Lloyd Price.
By George Kahn January 9, 2022 - 10:41 pm
Hi Dave. Just found you, and love your music.
I hope we can connect – I am putting out my 11th jazz album this year. I have always used CD Baby for my music, but I am thinking of putting this new album out on Bandcamp, and I’d love to get some insight from you. If you have a moment, please email me.
By Dave February 26, 2022 - 8:10 pm
Hello George you can reach me at [email protected]
all the best
Dave
By Marc Oswald January 8, 2022 - 10:13 am
Hi Dave. Thanks for your latest release. Subby Anzaldo introduced us years ago at his dad’s house in Omaha. As We Are is beautiful. Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Marc Oswald
By Dave February 26, 2022 - 8:09 pm
Thank you Marc!
Dave
By Len Tucker December 21, 2021 - 10:55 am
Hello Dave,
I really enjoyed your XMAS special on serious yesterday. What are your top guitar jazz Xmas albums? BTW- just bought yours yesterday- Love it!
By Dave December 23, 2021 - 4:13 pm
Hi Len
I like Don Patterson with Pat Martino. Also Kenny Burrell and Joe Pass. I’m sure there’s many others. As you probably know I have two Christmas albums of my own that are both available on the site. Six string Santa and 8track Christmas all the best Dave
By Royden vonNordeck December 20, 2021 - 1:59 am
Dave you knew my deceased brother Charlie vonNordeck I’m Royden attended few of your concerts we had conversation
It’s tough this time of year especially losing my wife Jan ‘21 and Charlie in 2013
Hearing u on Sirius jazz is great also reminder thank you for your great playing while I try strum my strat Charlie guided me to
By Dave December 23, 2021 - 4:11 pm
Hello Royden
Glad you liked my Christmas show on SiriusXM radio real Jazz. I hope you have a good holiday season and good luck in 2022. I miss Charlie as well -he was a great guy. Good luck with the Strat All the best Dave
By Gilberto Molina October 20, 2021 - 10:11 pm
Dear Dave ! I watch your videos and listen to one of your CD’S where you recorded “Frank’s Tune” ( By Frank Strozier ! ) I am writing music and doing some transcriptions like Dexter Gordon – Wayne Shorter etc. I am sure You are super busy but, may I send You a transcription like Some like Dexter’s Coppin’ the Haven – Wayne’s Children of the Night ? Thanks ! Gilberto Molina Cypress, CA 90630
By Dave October 30, 2021 - 8:32 pm
HI Gilberto
thank you. Transcribing is a great way to learn jazz language from the masters. You can contact me at my email [email protected]
all the best
Dave
By Frank vignola October 15, 2021 - 8:18 pm
Hi Dave. Frank Vignola here. I am starting a guitar night at Birdland on Wednesdays snd was hoping you would consider being our guest on Jan 12, 19 or 26? It pays 125, one set at 8:30. Any overage I split between all. Jimmy Bruno, Peter Washington, Vince Cherico and myself are the quartet in residence. Let me know if you can make one of those dates.
[email protected]
By Dave October 30, 2021 - 8:33 pm
HI Frank
Looking forward to Jan 26!
all the best
Dave