Biography of Dave Stephens

Dave Stephens(guitar)BORN:United kingdom,February 1955 MUSICAL HISTORY:Started playing guitar in early teens and graduated from playing pop/rock to jazz/rock and from there to bebop and beyond. Received critical acclaim from top American jazz producer Michael Cuscuna. Recorded various limited release albums over the years and also contributed to jazz magazine radio shows during the 1980's and 90's. Recently contributed and performed on accompanying CD to Adrian Ashton's 'The Bass Handbook' (Backbeat Books). In 2009 Dave released two new solo CD’s. The first called “Summer Nights” is a collection of ten original compositions for acoustic guitar that are informed by Tango, Flamenco and Mediterranean influences – perfect music to go with a glass of something on a balmy Summer evening!
His latest release, “Impressions of Wes” takes a contemporary look at the legacy of jazz guitar giant Wes Montgomery. Not one for doing impersonations, Dave has come up with 13 original pieces that reflect Montgomery’s influence on modern music. (Within days it had received glowing praise from American bebop sax master/educator Greg Abate).
Dave’s own influences and favourite musicians include the likes of Miles Davis, Pat Metheny, Lee Ritenour, Al Di Meola, John Etheridge, Joe Zawinul (and Weather Report), Charlie Parker, Wes Montgomery, Django Reinhardt, Paco de Lucia, Frank Sinatra and outside of the world of jazz; Ennio Morricone, Steve Reich and the music of Brazil, Argentina (Tango), the Mediterranean and France.
And now with the formation of the new group CON MOTO with keyboard player Paul Smail things are set to look interesting for 2011. The group has been described as sounding like "The jazzier side of Santana" especially with Dave's cranked up guitar and the new percussion section.
2011 sees the release of a new album featuring fourteen original compositions - DAYS LIKE THESE - and sounds something like a cross between The Pat Metheny Group and Lee Ritenour. The album is already receiving international airplay and receiving glowing comments from DJ's around the globe.
SPECIAL OFFER-if you purchase a copy of "Days Like These" during December 2011 you will receive am MP3 of Noite Silenciosa (Silent Night) performed by Dave - This recording is not available commercialy anywhere else.

Hear excerpts from DAYS LIKE THESE: http://youtu.be/mXEGOxKsZOA

Check out www.davestephens.org.uk
and visit Dave and Con Moto at FACEBOOK

Dave Stephens uses and endorses Tanglewood Guitars