For more than two decades guitarist, composer and producer David Becker has continued to define himself as one of the best and most unique voices in contemporary jazz guitar by combining diverse influences and a passion for the new and different. He has the ability to play in the present while always keeping an eye on the past and future.
He has led the DAVID BECKER TRIBUNE to a worldwide audience by performing in more than 17 countries. Over the years, the DBT has shared the stage with such celebrated jazz acts as Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Michael Brecker and many more. German television journalist Roger Willemsen (ZDF) called him "One of the best Jazz guitarists ever." Jazz Podium and Downbeat called him "A poet on the Jazz Guitar." Jazz Thing and Gitarre & Basss called him” a virtuoso”. David has released 10 recordings many topping the jazz and contemporary music charts, two of which made it to the Grammy nominations. The DBT have performed at some of the most prestigious venues throughout the world including London's Barbicon Centre, Rotterdam's De Doelen, Munich's Olympia Halle and Buenos Aires’ Ateneo. The DBT has also appeared at several international jazz festivals including Saulkrasti Jazz Festival, Latvia, La Plata Jazz Festival, Argentina, and Jazz op den Berg, Belgium, Robert Norman Festival, Norway, and Hildener Jazz Tage, Germany.
In 2005, Becker released a duo effort with guitar master Joe Diorio, THE COLOR OF SOUND. The CD was called "One of the best Guitar duo recordings of all time." The latest DBT release LEAVING ARGENTINA is continuing to receive high praise by the international press. Down Beat gave it “4 Stars” and the BBC said,” Brilliant musicianship. A really lovely album, in fact”. His music can be heard on radio and television around the globe including ARD, The Weather Channel, Voice of America, XM and Sirius Radio, NPR, Europa Plus, and AEI In-Flight Entertainment.
David Becker has also performed with guitar greats such as Atilla Zoller, Larry Coryell, John Abercrombie and Kenny Burrell. He recently released an instructional book called GETTING YOUR IMPROVISING INTO SHAPE (Mel Bay/Acoustic Music). The book is a top seller and has received great reviews all over the globe. The book is available in English and German. He has performed master classes and workshops around the world including, UNT in Denton, U of Arts in Philadelphia, Strathclyde University, Glasgow, Conservatorium, Maastricht, Hochschule, Köln, Music Tech College, St.Paul, Guitar Summer Workshop, Freiburg, Academy of Contemporary Music, Zurich, Musicians Institute, Hollywood and USC Thornton School of Music.
The DBT recently completed work on a new recording titled LEAVING ARGENTINA.
On Leaving Argentina, veteran guitarist David Becker captures the rich ambiance of faraway places like Patagonia, Buenos Aires, Cordoba and La Plata as well as inspiring sights like the Andes mountains. "It's basically a record that came about from going to Argentina often," says the accomplished six-stringer and leader of the flexible and highly interactive trio Tribune. "I've been there five or six times in the last two years and just started writing a bunch of music that was inspired by being there."
Accompanied by the flexible rhythm tandem of brother Bruce on drums and Bolle Diekmann on fretless electric bass and upright acoustic bass, Becker once again distinguishes himself as a talent worthy of wider recognition on the strength of this potent, eclectic outing, a followup to Tribune's 2004 offering, Where's Henning?
"This is actually sort of a jubilee for me and Bruce," says the guitarist who shuttles back and forth between homes in Los Angeles and Wuppertal, Germany. "It's the tenth album we've done together in 20 years. I think it has elements of almost everything that we've touched on over the years, and I think it's a natural progression to where we're at right now musically."
Sessions for Leaving Argentina were held in three cities -- Wuppertal, North Hollywood and La Plata. Becker brings his inimitable warm tone, fluid linear concept and varied harmonic palette to bear on all the material here, further establishing his place in the post-Metheny guitar world. "I've always been a fan of the guitar trio," he says. "And for me it's about trying to make the trio have a high degree of interplay while also being able to get away from the standard jazz guitar trio sound. One of the things that I'm most proud of is that people often say it's a bigger sound that we get. I think that has to do with the arrangements and particularly the musical relationship that Bruce and I have now going on more than 20 years."
Certain tunes on Leaving Argentina, like aggressively swinging, highly interactive trio numbers "Cafe Con Leche," "Rio De La Plata" and the boppish uptempo burner "Racin' Through The Andes," may recall Pat Metheny's groundbreaking Bright Size Life (recorded in 1976 on ECM with kindred spirits Pastorius on bass and Bob Moses on drums). Other Becker originals like the driving opener "El Sueño De La Araña Roja," the authentic tango number "It Takes Two" (with special guest bandoneon player Dario Polonara) and the dramatic Native American flavored "Patagonia" combine exotic world music elements with David's own inherent jazziness for a wholly unique hybrid of styles.
Elsewhere on Leaving Argentina, the guitarist reveals his gentle side on the unaccompanied acoustic guitar number "Mentras Duermes (While You Sleep)" and also on the bittersweet ballad "Hard To Say Goodbye," which is underscored by Bruce's sensitive brushwork and Diekmann's upright bass. "Cordoba" is a brilliant showcase for Diekmann's fretless virtuosity while Becker's other brother Ed makes his recording debut on the evocative title track, which was originally conceived as a duet between drums and guitar. The trio also turns in a poignant rendition of Keith Jarrett's "Memories of Tomorrow" (perhaps the most requested tune from his landmark Koln Concert recording on ECM). And they strike a gently swinging accord on Becker's sprightly "Waltz For Lavignia," which the guitarist performs on his Martin acoustic.
"We had played most of these tunes on the road, so we had a chance to let them mature by performing them for audiences. So on our tour of Argentina we had a chance to gauge the response and really refine them a lot before going into the studio later to record them."
David Becker Tribune will embark on tours of Europe, South America and the United States this Fall. Until then, you can hear their remarkable chemistry in full effect on Leaving Argentina. Now available on iTunes.
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