David Binney

Acclaimed as a considerable and highly individual compositional talent, saxophonist David Binney is one of the most prolific jazz musicians on the scene today. Winning praise from critics and colleagues alike, David was recently singled out by Jazz Times as one of a handful of “players who have created an alternative jazz-scene... all of whom are playing adventurous, original music.”

David has recorded 20+ albums as leader or co-leader and recorded on more than 300 other albums.

David was born in Miami, Florida, and raised in Southern California. At the age of 19 moved to New York City and lived there for many years. He now resides in Los Angeles. And Produces records and performs worldwide. He also mixes and masters records.

Creator/Producer of the band that was David Bowie's Blackstar.

Known for his performances and recordings with such prestigious groups as Knower (Louis Cole, Genevieve Artadi),Chrissie Hynde, the big bands of Gil Evans and Maria Schneider, as well as with Jim Hall, Uri Caine, Vinicius Cantuaria, Carlinhos Brown, Norah Jones, Bobby Previte, Cecil McBee quintet and countless others.

David was also a co-founder of the hard-edged quintet “Lost Tribe” and the open-form collective quartet “Lan Xang.”

David’s distinctive saxophone sound and innovative compositions have been heard from basement clubs in New York to jazz festivals in Europe and the world. In addition to his extensive work as a leader, he has been sought after as a sideman, appearing on record with Medeski, Martin & Wood and Uri Caine's Mahler Project. David has also appeared with Aretha Franklin at Carnegie Hall, and with Maceo Parker, to name a few. He has produced all of his own 22 albums, and many others including two of the Lost Tribe releases, 7 Donny McCaslin releases and a Scott Colley “The Architect of the Silent Moment”.. David started his record label, Mythology Records, in 1998. David also created the group the Donny McCaslin group that eventually became the group on David Bowie’s #1 record Blackstar.

He has won the Downbeat Critics Poll 3 different times in the Alto Saxophone category. And placed in Producer, Album, et al.. Has had front cover features in Downbeat and Jazz Times, featured in the NY Times Art section, and many other publications.

“Add David Binney's dynamic voice on saxophone and his great writing to the chorus of creators re-invigorating jazz.”- The Montreal Gazette

The albums that David owns are available on this site. All of his others albums, in addition to the ones on this site, are readily accessible on most streaming platforms. And most are available physical CDs/LP's.

Teaching: David has been teaching worldwide for many years. Besides teaching privately in person and via Zoom,Skype etc.. he teaches at schools around the world. A few notable ones are USC, Cal Arts, NYU, on staff at the New School NYC, Manhattan School of Music, the Paris Conservatoire, Rotterdam Conservatory, Amsterdam Conservatory, Groningen Conservatory, Siena Jazz, U of Western Michigan, U of Toronto, Humber, U of Montreal, U of Miami, North Texas, and many others. Show less