Saxophonist David Barrows, a native Californian, has been immersed with music most of his life. At the age of 9 he picked up the saxophone, and by the time he was in High School he started to play along with rock records and began listening to jazz. He switched from alto to tenor and soprano saxophones, and spent six years with a rock band, working the club scene in Hollywood. During that time he had his first exposure to a really good jazz teacher named Jeff Clayton. It was then that Barrows decided he needed to study music seriously, so he quit the rock band, and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1987.
For the next decade Barrows plunged himself in the Bay Area's vibrant and eclectic music scene. While attending San Francisco State University he studied classical saxophone with Greg Dufford, and played in the school's jazz band and classical sax quartets. Off campus, he was sitting in on as many jam sessions as possible, and meeting extraordinary musicians. During this period he was blessed with the opportunity to take lessons from such greats as Joe Henderson, Steve Coleman, Larry Schneider, Victor Morosco, Hal Stein, Mel Martin, and others.
The 90s were filled with musical discoveries and experimentation, as a student, performer and composer. During this period David became exposed to the Bay Area's multi-ethnic music scene. After meeting Brazilian jazz guitarist Jack Gates and drummer Kevin Mummey, Barrows delved into Classical Indian and Brazilian. He also became fascinated with Andean and nueva canciσn musical styles from South America through personal and other musical sources. He even composed some of the poetry of Pablo Neruda and Federico Garcνa Lorca and composed music for guitars, winds and percussion in the nueva canciσn style.
Dipping further into the world music scene, David, Jack and Kevin played in a couple of Klezmer bands called "Klezmania" and "Sirba." These opportunities led David to contribute to Jack's CD "New Geography" and to Sirba's recording "The Wailing Wall." Eventually, David went on to pass an audition with The Klezmorim and toured Europe for six months in 1993.
In the modern classical vein he worked with composers Tom Dean and Kurt Schleunes, writing and performing music for multimedia group "The
Oakland Opera Theater" at such places as the Oakland Metro, Theater Artaud and the Somar Theater. Continuing his exploration of the Bay Area melting pot of musical styles, Dave also played with popular local ska band "Undercover S.K.A.," in such venues as Slim's, Maritime Hall, and the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. While jamming some jazz tunes on the side with Eddie Sassin, the drummer from Undercover SKA, he met bassist Ari Munkres.
After playing music for more than twenty years, it was time to put out a CD under his own name. David thought that by bringing Ari, Kevin, and Jack together he would have a perfect rhythm section for his CD. "House Music - A Collection of Jazz Standards & Originals" was independently released in November, 1999 in the San Francisco Bay Area. This year 2000 Barrows officially releases his recording House Music by targeting major record store retailers, and performing at a series of CD release parties and in-store appearances throughout Northern California.
In 2001, Barrows completed a CD with noted Bay Area based Chilean singer/songwriter Rafael Manriquez.
David has also worked on various electronic music projects, as well as writing music for operas, a couple of film scores, and CD-ROM games.
As of 2003, David Barrows is devoting his time to developing the independent
record label Hounds of Renown Records, and its primary artist, the band earRotator.
Please contact David Barrows for booking or to schedule an interview, or to
receive a complete press kit and CD.