Dave D’aranjo
bass guitarist, drummer & producer

THE EARLY DAYS
As a baby, he reportedly created drum sets out of pots and pans, accompanying his father's passion for classical music, which was regularly blasting throughout the house. Young David quickly picked up many musical instruments, including panflute, harmonica, and piano, but it was in middle school that he first fell in love with the drums.

HIGH SCHOOL
Dave played in nearly every student band at Singapore American High School, and supported multiple acts in their annual “Peace Concert” three years in a row (1999-2001). Dave also co-created the school's first extracurricular performer's union (IPAU: the Independent Performing Artist’s Union) with Andrew McPherson and Sean Nerney. Along with taking regular drum lessons with Carl Jenkins, Blair
Sherrill, and Jimmy Lee, David expanded his repertoire in 1999 with the bass guitar, falling in love with Jaco Pastorius and Victor Wooten's technique, and quickly began to fill in the bassist's role - which would become a permanent career. In his senior year, Dave became a regular working stiff at Singapore's best blues clubs, including a stay at O.D.'s, the club owned by the famous funk guitarist O'Donel Levy. Dave could also be seen regularly playing at other famous blues holes such as the Crazy Elephant and the Voodoo Shack. Upon graduating from high school, Dave was awarded the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award for his contributions to the school's musical milieu.

GIGGING
After an introductory stint in New York City from 2002 to 2004 (spent trying out film school, taking lessons with Buddy Booker, and seeing a whole lot of concerts), Dave returned to Singapore and hooked up with The Ocean Band, a local multi-national rock outfit about to embark on a European tour. The group travelled through France and performed at the famous Bourbon Street Blues Bar in Amsterdam. (July 22nd, 2004). However, the tour was cut short when the band was called back to Singapore to open for American rock band Hoobastank (August 14, 2004). On September 9, 2005, The Ocean Band won the “World Battle of the Bands” competition, earning them the right to represent the country in the grand finals in Hong Kong (November 26, 2005). The group also performed at the inaugural Sembawang Festival on January 20, 2006 and held five shows at The Esplanade through 2007.

The Ocean Band made two records before breaking up in 2007: “Barcodes” (2005) and “Couch Dictators” (2009), the latter being produced by Dave and featuring 22 tracks and over 30 guest musicians spanning five countries. Artwork was done by Chris Duffy. Dave’s other gigs included shows with Singapore’s Chromazone, Blues Machine, Way Kool Band, Alemay Fernandez, Isaac Chris Robinson, and many more. He has subbed regularly for Christy Smith and Willy Gathright, Jr. Dave has also extensively travelled through South East Asia with The Curtis King Band based in Vietnam - culminating with a performance at the Japan Blues Festival, Aomori in July of 2009. Dave has played at New York’s famous CBGB’s with The Party Death (September 30 & October 1, 2006) on a NYC holiday, and has supported dozens of other groups in need of a good bassist over the years.

THE BASS COLLECTIVE NYC
In late 2007, Dave moved back to New York City to pursue formal training. He studied for a year at The Bass Collective, learning under such greats as Lincoln Goines, Janek Gwizdala, Steve Marks, Tony Conniff, John Davis, Joe Fitzgerald, Frank Gravis, Hill Greene, Adriano Santos, and Leo Traversa. Notably, Dave was a part of Bob Quaranta's Latin Ensemble at The Collective School of Jazz. The Bass Collective also provided the opportunity of a lifetime when students were offered the chance to film with Victor Wooten for his instructional DVD, “Groove Workshop” (2008). Dave and six of his colleagues are featured in this video, basses locked n’ loaded, interacting and learning with Victor Wooten and Anthony Wellington. Filming took place over two days (March 8 & 9, 2008). The video is widely available through Hudson Music.
Dave was also gigging with Brooklyn’s Chad Parks & the Near Death Experience, featuring longtime collaborator Benjamin Ironside on drums and Clifton Hyde of The Blue Man Group on guitar during this time.

BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC
In late 2008, another life-long dream of Dave’s was fulfilled when he was accepted to the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He currently resides there and expects to finish school in early 2012. He's performed some shows with with Tony Brown & the Faithful, and was the host of "The Low End" on The BIRN (Berklee Internet Radio Network) for two seasons. Dave has played bass in an ensemble headed by Walter Beasley, and also volunteers as a stagehand for The Boston Babydolls burlesque troup of Cambridge. Dave is quietly working on his musicianship to ensure that an outstanding debut solo album follows soon. He turns 26 in July.

~ Dave D'aranjo, Boston, May 2010.

© 2010 DaveDaranjo.com