David Dyson (born 3 April 1965) is an American bassist, songwriter, arranger, and producer.Berklee Events Calendar – David Dyson , 26 October 2009 Throughout his career, he has performed with an array of artists including New Kids on the Block, Meshell Ndegeocello, Lalah Hathaway, Pieces of a Dream, George Duke, Regina Bell, Jonathan Butler, Najee, Candy Dulfer, Rick Braun, Gerald Albright, Norman Brown, Bobby Lyle, Doc Powell, and Michael Franks.Schendell, Bonnie, "On the Side – David Dyson", SmoothViews, June 2008
Early life David Reeves Dyson was born on 3 April 1965 in Rapid City, South Dakota.Bass Break Live – David Dyson Bio. Retrieved 30 January 2011 When he was two years old, his family relocated to the Washington metropolitan area, where he was raised and attended school. Dyson played the baritone (euphonium) in school, but was inspired to switch to the bass guitar at the age of twelve after hearing recordings of Larry Graham and Louis Johnson.Bass Musician Magazine Staff, Bass Musician Magazine . Retrieved 20 December 2010 At the age of fourteen, he decided that he wanted to pursue a career in music. After high school Dyson attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where he received a B.A. degree in 1988. Although he taught himself to play bass, Dyson did take several lessons while attending college. He also learned to play the upright bass, piano, and guitar.
Musical career After graduating from Berklee, Dyson was offered a bassist position with recording artist Walter Beasley. Dyson performed with him from 1988 to 1989. In the fall of 1988, producer Maurice Starr was searching for musicians for New Kids on the Block. Dyson auditioned and landed the gig.Roberts, Jim "David Dyson Hangin' Tough With The New Kids", Bass Player Magazine, Jan/Feb 1992, p. 13 -14 He toured with them from 1989 to 1992 as their bassist and musical director. Shortly after coming off the road with NKOTB, Dyson started developing his original Mutepicking style, creating a technique that many have attempted to duplicate. In 1992, he was a bassist and composer with Chico Freeman and Brainstorm. From 1993, Dyson has toured and recorded with Michael Franks, Greg Osby, Terumasa Hino, Gary Thomas, Kevin Toney, Takeshi Itoh, Jack Lee, and Bob James. Dyson was a bassist with Steve Coleman and Five Elements in 1996 and he has two Grammy nominations as a bassist, composer, and co-producer with the Hagans/Belden band (trumpeter Tim Hagans and producer Bob Belden) from 1999 and presently. Dyson began touring with Meshell Ndegeocello in May 1997. He continued through 1999 and from 2001 to 2002. From 2003 to 2006, he was a bassist with Jonathan Butler.
Dyson began playing with Pieces of a Dream in 2000 at a concert in Baltimore, Maryland, after substituting for the original bassist. Dyson recorded and performed with Peter White (2005–present), Chuck Brown (2006–2007), and Lalah Hathaway (2008–present). In addition, Dyson was a member of the Towson University faculty as a bass instructor in the department of music. He was also head instructor of the course David Dyson's Groove Concepts at MusicDojo.com.Music Dojo Faculty – David Dyson, Musicdojo.com . Retrieved 21 December 2010 Dyson is a faculty member of InDepth Jazz clinics and concertsOur Faculty – David Dyson, InDepth Jazz clinics & concerts Retrieved 21 December 2010 and an instructor with Gerald Veasley's Bass BootCampInstructors, Gerald Veasley's Bass BootCamp Retrieved 16 January 2011 and Bass Break LIVE. He was a staff writer for Bass Musician magazine and is the founder and president of Lil Doc Productions and Lohandfunk Records. Dyson released his debut CD Soulmates in 2000, The Dawning in 2004, and Unleashed in 2008.
Custom bass In 2008, Dyson was presented with his first David Dyson/Lohandfunk signature series bassNew Lohandfunk/Skjold bass – David Dyson. Retrieved 8 January 2011 created by Pete Skjold.Skjold Custom Bass Guitars – David Dyson, Bass Direct. Retrieved 20 December 2010 The specifications are: 5 string fretted, ash body, myrtle top, maple fingerboard, maple pick up covers and knobs, 5-piece maple/purpleheart neck, 2-SC-1 pick ups, audere 4-band pre w/5-position z-mode rotary switch – standard (also available with the Skjold/east custom pre-amp).David Dyson Signature Series Construction, Skjold Players. Retrieved 8 January 2011 In 2011, Dyson debuted his fretless Skjold signature series bass at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California.David Dyson and Vincenzo Maurogiovanni NAMM 2011 Jam. Retrieved 3 February 2011
Discography As leader/composer Soulmates (Lightyear, 1999) The Dawning (2004) Unleashed (Lo Hand Funk, 2008)
As sideman With Bob Belden Strawberry Fields (1996) Tapestry (1997) Black Dahlia (2001)
With Steve Coleman The Opening of the Way (1996) Genesis (1997)
Also as composer/co-producer With Tim Hagans Animation, Imagination (1999) Grammy nomination Re-Animation Live (2000) Grammy nomination
With Unit 3 Deep Groove Theory (2017)
With Tracy Hamlin Seasons (2005) Better Days (2009)
With Marcus Johnson Urban Grooves (2000) Just Doing What I Do (2004) In Concert for a Cause (2006) Phoenix (2007) This is How I Rock (2010)
With Jack Lee Gracefulee (1993) Where My Heart Goes (1996) Into the Night (1997) Message from Paris (2000) Belo to Soul (2002)
With Pieces of a Dream Acquainted With the Night (2001) Love's Silhouette (2002) No Assembly Required (2004) Soul Intent (2009)
With others Philip Bailey – Soul on Jazz (2002) Rick Braun – Yours Truly (2006) Jonathan Butler – Jonathan (2005) Chico Freeman – Threshold (1992) Ron Holloway – Live at the Montpelier Cultural Center (2003) Jaared – Forward (2001) Jackiem Joyner – Baby Soul (2007) Masabumi Kikuchi, DJ Katsuya, DJ Hiro – Raw Material No. 1, M. Kikuchi (1996) Bobby Lyle – Straight & Smooth (2004) Najee – Rising Sun (2009) Meshell Ndegeocello – Lilith Fair Vol. 3 (1999) New Kids on the Block – Step by Step (1990) Scritti Politti – Anomie & Bonhomie (1999) John Stoddart – Love So Real (1997) Peter White – Playin Favorites (2006) Alyson Williams – It's About Time (2004) Frederic Yonnet – Front & Center (2004)
References
External links David Dyson on My Space David Dyson interview/performance on Voice of America