Dave Stryker

Biography

Dave Stryker (born March 30, 1957) is an American jazz guitarist known for his distinctive tone and versatile playing style. He grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and moved to New York City in 1980, where he established himself as a prominent figure in the jazz scene. After building his reputation locally, he joined organist Jack McDuff's group from 1984-85, marking the beginning of his professional career. From 1986 to 1995, Stryker played and recorded extensively with tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, a period that significantly shaped his musical development and helped establish him as a featured sideman of note.

Throughout his career, Stryker has become a prolific recording artist and bandleader, releasing 37 CDs as a leader to date. His work spans original compositions and creative reinterpretations of existing material, most notably his "Eight Track" series, which reimagines 1970s pop hits through a jazz lens. Gary Giddins of the Village Voice called him "one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years." Stryker has maintained a consistent presence in jazz, with recent recordings reaching the top 10 on JazzWeek charts, and he was voted one of the top jazz guitarists in the 2025 Downbeat Poll for the 15th time. Beyond performance, he serves as an adjunct professor of jazz guitar at multiple institutions including Rutgers University, William Paterson University, and Montclair State University, and maintains an online teaching school.

Fun Facts

• Stryker's Eight Track series was inspired by his personal history with eight-track tape players; he had one in his high school van and spent many hours listening to artists ranging from Miles Davis and John Coltrane to Santana and Marvin Gaye.
• His 2025 recording 'Stryker with Strings Goes to the Movies' features him performing in front of a 30-piece studio orchestra, showcasing his versatility beyond his traditional trio format.
• Stryker's working trio recently opened for Steely Dan's 2024 summer tour, demonstrating his continued relevance and appeal to contemporary audiences.
• He won Hot House magazine's Best Guitarist Fans Decision award in 2017 and has been voted one of the top jazz guitarists in the Downbeat Poll for 15 consecutive times as of 2025.

Associated Acts

• Allan Botschinsky Quartet - guitar, original
• Dave Stryker Quintet - eponymous, guitar, original
• Dave Stryker Quartet - electric guitar, eponymous, original
• Dave Stryker Trio - eponymous, guitar, original
• Dave Stryker Organ Quartet
• Dave Stryker Organ Trio
• The Stryker / Slagle Band
• Rich Willey's Boptism Funk Band

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Jack McDuff - Early career mentor and bandleader who provided Stryker's first major professional opportunity (Jack McDuff's group recordings) [1984-1985]
• Stanley Turrentine - Influential collaborator and bandleader who significantly shaped Stryker's musical development during an extended working relationship (Stanley Turrentine recordings and tours) [1986-1995]

Key Collaborators

• Jared Gold - Organist in Stryker's working trio and core collaborator on multiple projects (Eight Track series (2013, 2016, 2019), Groove Street (2024)) [2013-present]
• McClenty Hunter - Drummer in Stryker's working trio, consistent collaborator across multiple recordings (Eight Track series (2013, 2016, 2019), Groove Street (2024)) [2013-present]
• Stefon Harris - Vibraphonist featured on Eight Track albums, adding unique harmonic textures to Stryker's arrangements (Eight Track (2013), Eight Track III (2019)) [2013, 2019]
• Steve Nelson - Vibraphonist who joined the ensemble for Eight Track II (Eight Track II (2016)) [2016]
• Mayra Casales - Percussionist and conguero contributing to Eight Track III (Eight Track III (2019)) [2019]
• Bob Mintzer - Featured collaborator on recent recordings (Groove Street (2024)) [2024]
• Freddie Hubbard, James Moody, Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy Smith, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jimmy Heath, Kevin Mahogany, Eliane Elias, Joe Lovano, Steve Slagle - Notable jazz artists with whom Stryker has performed and recorded (Various recordings and performances) [Career spanning]

Artists Influenced

• Jazz guitar students at Rutgers University, William Paterson University, and Montclair State University - Stryker serves as adjunct professor of jazz guitar, directly influencing the next generation of jazz musicians (Academic instruction and mentorship) [Ongoing]
• Online students through ArtistWorks - Stryker maintains an online teaching school where he influences aspiring jazz guitarists globally (Online jazz guitar instruction and his book 'Dave Stryker's Jazz Guitar Improvisation Method Vol III') [Ongoing]

External Links

• Spotify
• [Wikipedia](Not found in search results)
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #jazz, #post-bop