Born and raised Washington D.C. young David was captivated by guitar flavorings of Curtis Mayfield, Cornell Dupree and Clarence Carter in addition to the electrifying showmanship of James Brown that he heard on the radio and saw live at the Howard Theatre.

​

While singing in his school’s Glee Club he borrowed a neighbor’s guitar to emulate the R&B/Soul hits of the day eventually forming his first band after receiving his own instrument from his Father who recognized his gift.

​

As David embarked on “paying his dues” at local venues he credits D.C. guitarist Michael Edwards, Omar Mesa (Mandrill), Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix and Howlin Wolf (whose music he heard from his older brother) with expanding his appreciation to the sonic possibilities of the instrument beyond R&B/Soul.

​

As his musicality flourished David caught the ear of R&B Entertainer “Little Royal” who recruited him as his guitarist and toured North America playing venues from Canada to Florida and all stops in between.

​

Tired of the road and concerned about his future David returned home and enrolled at The University of D.C. obtaining his BMED Degree in Music Education. He formed a close friendship with local Jazz guitarist the late Jerry Gordon and became deeply interested in the Jazz and Blues stylish of Wes Montgomery, Grant Green and Albert King.

​

As a budding guitarist he honed his skills performing in the Bobby Felder and Calvin Jones Big Bands thus adding “new colors” to his expanding musical palette.  David has performed with Roberta Flack, Archie Bell, The Clovers, The Orioles, Percy Sledge, The Jewels and toured Japan with R&B balladeers The Delphonics.

​

In 2006 he co-founded the group Main Street Blues to further develop and show case his skills as a vocalist, guitarist and engaging entertainment/front man to elevate and pay tribute to the Blues contribution to Contemporary music.

​

While maintaining his career as an educator David remains musically active in such activities as “Bessie’s Blues Show (A Tribute to Blues Legend Bessie Smith), The D.C. Blues Society Lecture Series Showcase – “Blues and It’s Influences (1950’s-1980’s)” and The Capital All Stars Big Band.

 

In February 2015 Main Street Blues successfully headlined The 1st International Blues Festival in Paraguay while also conducting a series of Master Classes relating “The History of the Blues and The Civil Rights Movement.”

 

Finally stepping out front “Urban Blues” is his first CD release as a featured performer.  

 

​

…."there’s a whole party goin’ on inside his guitar case!”

  - Paul Carr, Mid Atlantic Jazz Fest.