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Dave Stryker
"One of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years." Gary Giddins / Village Voice
About Me
Whether you’ve heard guitarist Dave Stryker fronting 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 Gary Giddins in the Village Voice called him “one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along
in recent years.” He was recently voted once again one of the Top Guitarists in the 2025 Downbeat
Critics and Readers polls. His most recent CD “Stryker with Strings Goes to the Movies” with a 30-
piece studio orchestra received 4 Stars and Editor's Pick in Downbeat magazine.
Dave Stryker 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. It was at
Dude’s Lounge that Stryker met tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, who would occasionally sit in.
After leaving McDuff, Turrentine asked Stryker to join his quintet. From 1986-1995 he played with
the legendary saxophonist at all the major festivals, concert halls, and clubs throughout the world.
He is featured on two Turrentine CD’s (Stanley recorded Stryker’s tune “Sidesteppin”). With
Turrentine, Stryker was able to play with such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie and Freddie Hubbard.
The ten years playing alongside the tenor legend helped Stryker realize the importance of having his
own sound. Dave continued to work with Stanley and was with him during his final week at the Blue
Note in NYC, when he passed in Sept. 2000.
Early on Stryker realized that as much as he loved playing standards and the jazz repertoire he had
to have something of his own to give to the music. He feels that his writing combined with his
playing is what shapes his musical expression. He has recorded and published over 150 of his own
compositions. Eighteen of those compositions (from the first five SteepleChase CD’s) are compiled in
the book- The Music of Dave Stryker (SteepleChase Music). Some of the other artists who have
recorded his music are: Stanley Turrentine, Kevin Mahogany, Victor Lewis, and Steve Slagle. Dave
continues to perform with The Dave Stryker Organ Trio. Notable gigs have included a week at
Birdland, Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Monterey Jazz Festival, Smalls, The
Jazz Standard, The Monterey Jazz Festival, The Blue Note, The Jazz Bakery in LA, and tours in Europe
and Japan.
Sideman work has included the late vocalist Kevin Mahogany’s group, with Dave writing and
arranging music for Kevin’s Telarc release Pride and Joy and Another Time, Another Place on Warner
Bros and tours of Europe, Japan, Brazil, Poland and Carnegie Hall. He also has worked with Jimmy
Heath, James Moody, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Joe Lovano, Eliane Elias and many others. He has appeared
on over 75 CD’s as a sideman. As a producer, Stryker compiled the CD The Guitar Artistry of Billy
Rogers which is the only existing record of the brilliant jazz playing of the late underground legend
who was his friend, former teacher and member of the Crusaders. He has also produced “A Tribute to
Grant Green” on Evidence Music.
Dave teaches at the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University, Rutgers University, and
William Paterson University. He was the Adjunct Professor of Jazz guitar at Jacobs School of Music at
Indiana University for 11 years.
Dave's book “Dave Stryker's Jazz Guitar Improvisation Method” as well as all his recordings are
available at www.davestryker.com
