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David Bach

The versatile keyboardist and composer is a musician of many stripes.

About Me

The versatile keyboardist and composer is a musician of many stripes. As an Air Force brat, Bach’s childhood was a chain of stopovers, during which time he was lucky enough to study under a host of rigorous teachers. Once he came of age, Bach found himself getting into progressive rock, which strengthened his resolve to compose. Having lived for a time in Europe when the genre was at its popular peak, his return to the States brought about a eureka moment: “Europe was a great experience, because most of the bands you heard live were doing original music and now I was really hearing jazz for the first time.” Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, McCoy Tyner, George Duke, and other groundbreakers opened his ears and changed his musical direction for the better. “I used to get into arguments with my professors,” he recalls. “My feeling was that guys like Keith and Chick were the modern-day evolution of the classical greats. Their improvisations were just as valid as, say, Mozart or Chopin, both of whom were great improvisers to begin with.” Holding fast to these sentiments, he left the classical world behind and followed many a footstep when he sought study with renowned jazz instructor Ted Alexander. The experience further developed Bach’s compositional edge and gave him the depth and versatility he needed to excel as a working professional. Whether playing a solo gig or with a band, backing a big name act or fronting one, he was now prepared to face the challenge of making a name for himself in a sometimes-cutthroat business. “It was very liberating,” Bach notes, “the turning point of my musical evolution.”

Now firmly settled and established in the Washington, D.C.-Baltimore scene, Bach has by way of a dedicated fan base and an ever-growing list of corporate and reputable clients honed a craft worthy of recognition. As recipient of two Gold Records and winner of the 2004 Maryland State Art Council Performance Award, he has tasted the fruit of his efforts firsthand. His band, The David Bach Consort, was the winner of the Jazz Discovery Showcase on BET, has performed at Jazzmatazz with B.B. King, and has played at the Kennedy Center. Among his many accomplishments, Bach has returned to Europe as a touring musician for RCA/BMG recording artist Fishbelly Black. Other contributions include keyboarding for Janet Jackson and Everything But The Girl and touring with Enrique Iglesias. Even with this busy schedule, Bach has been able to develop a deeply personal songbook, which began with Window on the West. Since that 1998 debut, he has christened a fleet of memorable themes on the waters of his distinctly new-world sound. These explorations continued through 5thousand Words and on to A Deep Breath, culminating in the album LIVE at Baker Park, which documents a beautiful summer’s night of music-making for the eponymous concert series, and now further in the form of Otherworld. Bach’s latest emotional journey represents his idiosyncratic blend of styles and hues, all of which cohere by virtue of an unflagging passion.

His band, The David Bach Consort, was the winner of the Jazz Discovery Showcase on Black Entertainment Television, performed at Jazzmatazz with B.B. King, was featured in Washington’s Taste of D.C. and played at the Kennedy Center. He currently has five CD’s featuring his unique world jazz style, Otherworld, LIVE, A Deep Breath, 5thousand Words and his first CD,Window on the West. The David Bach Consort has appeared on television on WMAR TV in Baltimore, the Smithsonian Institute, and at Jazzy Summer Nights at Baltimore’s City Hall. Additionally, his band has played at the National Cathedral, the White House Correspondents Dinner and last month at USA Today’s annual holiday event.

Bach has played with Enrique Iglesias in front of 30,000 fans. His band was voted ”Best Instrumental Band” by Music Monthly Magazine. The David Bach Consort has been featured on national and international television on BET’s Jazz Central. He received a WAMMIE nomination in 1999 for “Best Instrumentalist” and “Best CD”.