The Undiscovered: Stryker/Slagle Band

The Stryker/Slagle Band is the self-titled debut CD from the quartet led by guitarist Dave Stryker and saxophonist Steve Slagle. Even though each has previously played on the other's recordings (fourteen collaborations), this is their first co-led project. Seven original jazz/fusion compositions brimming with new ideas, soulful playing, stunning interplay and freewheeling solos make The Stryker/Slagle Band a hard one to put down. Drummer Tim Horner and bassist Bill Moring round out the quartet, and both use every rhythmic device at their disposal to enhance the tuneful themes. From the opening guitar/sax unison lines in "Nothin' Wrong With It" to the purposeful bebop advanced by the Slagle composition "Long Gone", this jazz quartet will grab your attention while feeding your hunger for silken phrasing, Shorter/Davis-like nuances and daring improvisation.

Guitarist Dave Stryker grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and moved to New York City in 1980. After establishing himself in the local music scene, he joined organist Jack McDuff's group for two years (1984-85). He spent ten years playing alongside the tenor legend Stanley Turrentine, which helped him realize the importance of having his own sound. Dave recorded his first CD, "First Strike" (featuring Billy Hart) in 1988. Since then he has recorded 15 CDs as a leader, and many others as sideman or collaborator. Dave was voted one of the Top Ten Guitarists in the 2001 Critics and Readers poll of Downbeat Magazine. There have been articles in Downbeat, Guitar Player, Jazz Times, Swing Journal, and Jazz Life on Dave, and he has been awarded three jazz grants from The National Endowment For The Arts.

Stryker continues to perform with his working unit, the Stryker/Slagle Quartet, as well as his other projects: The Blue to the Bone Band, The Shades Project (with Lenny White), and his latest group "Trio Mundo". He is also currently a featured member of vocalist Kevin Mahogany's working band.

Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
United States

Web site: www.davestryker.com