Whether you’ve heard guitarist Dave Stryker leading his own group (with 35+ 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 grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and moved to New York City in 1980. After establishing himself in the local music scene, he joined organist Jack McDuff’s group for two years 1984-85. When McDuff wasn’t on the road (literally traveling by van all over the country) they worked a steady four-night a week gig at Dude’s Lounge in Harlem. His first break, this turned out to be an invaluable experience, paying his dues night after night with the soulful jazz organist.

Dave is also Adjunct Professor of Jazz Guitar at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University, he used to be at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and now teaches at William Patterson U.

Dave recently launched his online teaching school at www.artistworks.com.

Dave’s last 5 CD’s have all gone to #1 on the JazzWeek Radio chart. Prime, his most recent, features his longtime working trio of Jared Gold and McClenty Hunter fresh off a tour opening for Steely Dan.

And now he brings forth his brand new album this January, the veritably opulent Stryker With Strings - Goes To The Movies (released via Strikezone Records).

1. In Your Eyes (Say Anything)
2. Cinema Paradiso (Main Theme) (Cinema Paradiso)
3. You Only Live Twice (You Only Live Twice)
4. Taxi Driver (Main Title) (Taxi Driver)
5. Theme From Shaft (Shaft)
6. Cavatina (The Deer Hunter)
7. Flirtibird (Anatomy of a Murder)
8. Low Key Lightly (Anatomy of a Murder)
9. Moonglow (Picnic)
10. Dreamsville (Gunn)
11. Edelweiss (The Sound of Music)

This deeply luxuriant new recording opens on the sumptuously triumphant I Your Eyes (from Say Anything) and a soulful Cinema Paradiso (Main Theme), and then we get the elegantly-hued, sweeping You Only Live Twice, the all-embracing Taxi Driver (Main Title) and the dutifully funky notes of Theme From Shaft.

Along next is the captivatingly ornate, simply pure gossamer of Cavatina (from The Deer Hunter) and that is in turn backed seamlessly by the old school bluesy jazz feel of both Flirtibird and Low Key Lightly (both from Anatomy of a Murder), the sweeping Moonglow (from Picnic), closing on the dulcet Dreamsville (from Gunn) and the low slung finger-snapper Edelweiss (from The Sound of Music).

Orchestra arranged & conducted by Brent Wallarab
Dave Stryker: guitar, Xavier Davis: piano & Fender Rhodes, Jeremy Allen: bass, McClenty Hunter: drums
Featured Soloists: Sara Caswell: violin, Greg Ward: alto saxophone, Jim Pugh: trombone, Mark Buselli: flugelhorn

www.davestryker.com