Stan Getz, Kenny Garrett, Cannonball Adderly, John Coltrane, Sonny Stitt, Charlie Parker, Johnny Hodges, Miles Davis, Ben Folds, Bela Fleck, Alison Krauss, Billy Corgan, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Norah Jones, Bill Evans, Nickel Creek, Herbie Hancock, George Gershwin, Frederic Chopin, Sergie Rachmaninov, John Cage, Claude Debussy, Johannes Brahms, Queen, The Police, Morten Lauridsen, Dragan Dautovski, Vlatko Stefanovski, Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker, Jack Johnson, Coldplay...
Sounds Like
“Dave is one of the great talents in the new generation of horn players. He plays with great feeling, an adept sense of timing, and brilliant tonal control. Musically, it's always a genuine thrill to work together.”
~James Tormé
"Working with Dave is great! He is a consumate professional whose real passion shows in his playing. He has superb technique, yet his musicality and artistry are what shines most for me."
~Mark Vogel, Television/Film Composer
(Full House, Raising Helen, Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place)
“…sounds great…and he plays anything he can get his hands on!”
~Engelbert Humperdinck
“While most musicians struggle to be proficient on a single instrument, Dave Wilson's technique and musicianship extend to the saxophone, flute, piano and clarinet—and he sounds amazing on all of them! In fact, it doesn't matter what kind of instrumentation I choose for my arrangements—Dave's probably got it covered.
"His sound and technique are impeccable but, more importantly, he knows how to play tastefully—placing the emphasis not just on the notes he's playing, but on the song as a whole. As a vocalist and a songwriter, I know that that kind of musicianship is a rare find."
Dave Wilson is a complete musician whose experience has made him one of the top emerging players on the LA music scene. A Chicago native, he got his start studying Suzuki piano study at age 4. Before long, he picked up the saxophone (as well as flute and clarinet) and began to garner national attention, winning student music awards from DownBeat Magazine, recognition by the Grammy organization, and praise from Howard Reich, the Chicago Tribune jazz critic.
From Chicago, Dave’s journeys have taken him to Indiana University (where he studied under jazz pedagogue David Baker), a two-year stint in Eastern Europe, and now to Los Angeles, where he is currently based. The influences that these environments brought on—straight-ahead jazz, Balkan folk music, and rock/pop music—are seamlessly interwoven throughout Dave’s playing and writing. Along the way he has performed in venues from the Sydney Opera House to Carnegie Hall, from the Viper Room in L.A. to the Nardis Jazz Club in Istanbul. Now that he is in L.A., his presence on the music scene is becoming a staple. He has recently been heard on the recordings and/or live performances of Engelbert Humperdinck, James Tormé, Jessica Fichot, Tova, Sabrina Sloan, Chris Duran, Stevie Scott, and Matt Jordan.
His ear for melody, his experience with the music of many cultures, and his drive for excellence in every musical encounter have made Dave a versatile multi-instrumentalist and a dynamic force on the music landscape.
Dave’s latest compositions are always posted on this page, along with some of his past recording projects. Take some time and check it out!
Keep your eyes open for Dave’s saxophone album coming this year….and feel free to send a friend request or post a comment!
so, last night i got to have the awesome experience of going with shawna and tony (my sister and brother-in-law) to take my niece and nephew to their first concert - stevie wonder at the hollywood bowl. not too shabby!
in honor of this occasion, i'm asking all of my friends to comment me back with what *their* first concert was...and then you can stop by in a couple of days and read everyone's!
incidentally...shawna's was destiny's child, 'n sync and christina aguilera tickets that she won in an acting contest. mine was steppenwolf and the guess who with my dad when i was 11. tony's was stevie ray vaughan for his 9th birthday...his choice. his taste in music is as kickass as his taste in women! :D
Dave! It's been too long. I hope all is well. I've got a new EP coming out in April and have 2 songs on my page from the new record. Let me know what you think man! -Michael
Hey buddy, hope you got my message. We were outta town for the gig & party. Snowboarding at Mammoth. Looks like your keeping busy. Congrats on the disc, again. Give me a call for a hang.
