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David P. Stevens

David P. Stevens | Smooth Jazz Guitarist, Singer, Producer of Philadelphia, PA

About Me

David P. Stevens | Multi-talented Contemporary & Nu-Jazz, Neo-Fusion, R&B, Nu-Soul guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, and recording studio engineer David P. Stevens invites you to take a musical journey with him through the “The DPS Experience”.

“The DPS Experience” deftly incorporates elements of modern jazz, R&B, soul, dance, hip-hop, rock, blues, and pop, resulting in a signature sound that embodies the legacy of The Sounds of Philadelphia’s own Gamble & Huff and inspiration from the school of The Q: Mr. Quincy Jones & super producer George Duke.

Raised in the City of Brotherly Love when Philadelphia International Records dominated the pop and R&B charts, David got his start playing music as an adolescent. Within a few years, with help from his musical mentors Darryl Johnson & Fred Cooper, David would begin playing piano and guitar, writing, recording and playing music professionally. After graduating from University of Massachusetts, David moved to Nashville, where he produced songs for many artists regularly performing in some of the city’s more notable venues; becoming the lead guitarist in the house band for the Trinity Broadcasting Network, moving onto Detroit - The Motor City, before ultimately declaring his home-base in Philadelphia.

In 2005, he released his debut studio album, entitled Timeless. The buzz generated from that project demanded David record his 2008 sophomore album, entitled The Shedd, which garnered the interest of 111 East Jazz Records. The label felt so strongly about the diamond in the rough project overlooked by the larger market that in 2011 David recorded additional songs, and 111 East Jazz Records repacked the CD as Uptown which was released to global indie acclaim, and admirable bulleted positions across various music charts globally.

* As a headliner & guest performer, David has graced countless stages from large jazz festivals, massive amphitheaters, small jazz clubs, and churches.

* As a producer and songwriter, David has collaborated and jammed with numerous independent & major artists from Gerald Albright, Gerald Veasley, Elan Trotman, Scott Ambush, Alvin Slaughter, Nick Coilonne, Bennie Syms & Curt Harmon (Pieces of a Dream),Marvin Sapp, Marvin Winans, Jr., Antonio Neal, Frank McComb, Carol Riddick, Gail Jhonson,Steve Cole, Shamika Phoenix, Tamika Patton, Nneka Best, Cicely Floyd, Lisa McClendon,Nothende, and many more. So, sit back and enjoy “The DPS Experience” ~ bridging the gap between yesterday & today.

New Single Releases: November 16, 2012 The first release will be dual~singles from “Epiphany”, the soon to be classic “Just Like That” feat. Gerald Albright & the jazzy 2-step/club-ready “Play It For Me” feat. Tesa Williams will be available at radio, internet, and retail outlets 11/16/2012.

David is currently in the studio working on his 4th independent studio CD entitled “Epiphany” scheduled for release globally in the Spring of 2013.

For interviews, bookings, and festivals contact David P. Stevens c/o Baron Harris & Chaz Cosby of Sanctifly Music Group at 609-785-1470 or email: [email protected]. Sanctifly Music Group© 2012

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My Jazz Story

I love jazz because jazz is freedom of expression! While performing, or recording jazz, I am able to present exactly what I am thinking in the moment. it's the purest expression of who I am musically, over all other genres. Don't get me wrong, I love to play all types of music, and all types of genres, but nothing compares to the freedom of artistic improvisation, like jazz music! I was first exposed to jazz I was first exposed to jazz, when I was 14. My guitar teacher was a serious jazz musician, and after every lesson, he would present a new guitar player to me, and have me study their styles. This helped hone my own style. By this point in my career, I have met so many of my jazz heroes, and have had a chance to jam with some of them. It's hard to choose which experience was more powerful, but one of my most memorable experiences, was meeting Norman Brown! It's no secret that Norman is a heavy influence of mine, and I will never forget meeting him after a show he did when I was 15. Everyone rushed the stage, and I waited patiently until the crowd dispersed. I knew he was tired, but he took time and rapped to me, and then gave me a guitar pick! I held that pick for years and years. Great memory! The best show I ever attended was hands down, the best jazz show ever, was Norman Brown in Philadelphia, at the Willow Grove mall, when I was 15! This was the first time I had ever seen jazz on such a large scale! He KILLED it! Weeks later, I got to see Paul Jackson Jr., while touring for his new album. That was equally as inspiring! The first jazz record I bought was the first jazz album I bought was "The Cooker", or also called "The George Benson Cookbook"! I WORE THAT ALBUM OUT!!!!!! I learned every lick and every nuance. I played that cassette until the tape popped! My advice to new listeners take in all different types of jazz, don't just listen to smooth jazz! I love contemporary jazz, because I think it's exciting, and the performers are all funky and groovy, but to get the full breadth and depth of the genre, you must listen to and treasure all of it. Knowing smooth jazz without any foundation, is like eating french fries and not honoring the potato that gave his life! LOL