Babcock, Dave Jump Orchestra

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Origin: Vancouver, British Columbia - Edmonton, Alberta
Biography:

For over two decades, Dave Babcock has built his reputation as one of Canada's finest saxophonists. This dynamic horn man is also known as a respected bandleader, singer and producer. His playing is steeped in the living traditions of Jazz, Blues and R&B, although he's not limited to those styles alone. Dave has moved with the times and kept his finger on the pulse of today's music without forgetting his roots. He's a career musician who's always looked to new horizons for the creative opportunities to continue his growth as an artist. Dave is making his mark as a solo artist with the release of his debut album, Happenstance.

Originally from Vancouver, Dave took up the saxophone and began his playing career in Edmonton. After graduating from the Grant MacEwan College music program, he honed his skills with local acts playing a variety of Jazz, Blues, R&B and Pop music.

Since those early days, Dave has gone on to perform or record with artists like Long John Baldry, Tommy Banks, Solomon Burke, Glen Campbell, Petula Clark, Tom Cochrane, Albert Collins, Jack deKeyzer, Floyd Dixon, Cornell Dupree, Amos Garrett, Crystal Gayle, Rosco Gordon, Colin James, Flaco Jimenez, Johnnie Johnson, KD Lang, Tom Lavin of Powder Blues, Jimmy McCracklin, Taj Mahal, Big Jay McShann, Geoff Muldaur, Maria Muldaur, Duke Robillard, The Rockin' Highliners, Doug Sahm, Ian Tyson, Mary Wilson of The Supremes and Jimmy Witherspoon. He's also warmed up for Willie Dixon, Dr. John, Delbert McClinton, NRBQ, The Pointer Sisters, George Thorogood and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Dave is a much sought after studio musician and sideman, with appearances on two Juno award-winning albums (see discography) amongst his numerous album credits. He's performed many times on radio and television shows, played at major jazz and folk festivals and in theatres and nightclubs all across Canada.

In the spring of 2003, Dave began the pre-production on his first solo album, Happenstance. This instrumental jazz album contains ten original songs, the majority of them penned by Dave and co-writer, keyboardist Chris Andrew. Happenstance reflects a new direction and artistic maturity in Dave's writing and playing. That new direction is evident in the contemporary style of the album, featuring grooves drawn from Hip-Hop, House, Funk and Latin music.

Dave was joined on the recording by Edmonton's premier jazz musicians; Lyle Molzan and Sandro Dominelli on drums, Mario Allende on percussion, co-producer Mike Lent on bass, Greg Smith and Calgary's Russ Broom on guitar, Chris Andrew on keyboards and Bob Tildesley on trumpet. Happenstance was released to a sold-out audience on April 10, 2004 at Edmonton's Yardbird Suite.

Dave's soulful saxophone and smooth vocals are currently being showcased in The Dave Babcock Group. Other projects he also leads include the instrumental smooth jazz group Audioluxe, hard swinging jazz band The Jump Orchestra and with his own high-octane blues outfit, The Nightkeepers. Dave is a long-time member of the Edmonton Folk Music Festival house band and also performs regularly with the Edmonton Jazz Orchestra.

Dave is married and lives in Edmonton with his wife Jennifer. He also consults full time with Rawlco Radio Ltd. as the executive producer of Project 10K20, a recording project funding Edmonton musicians sponsored by local radio station Magic 99 FM.