Primary Instrument: Saxophone
Norman David is a saxophonist, clarinetist, composer, author, and music educator. Born in Montreal, he moved to the United States in the mid 1970s, residing in Boston, central Maine, and, since 1989, in the Philadelphia area. He has played as leader or sideman at clubs, theaters and festivals in the U.S., Canada, France, and Italy. He currently directs, performs with, and composes all the music for The Eleventet, his eleven-member professional ensemble, comprised of some of the top jazz artists in the northeast U.S., many internationally-renowned. He has appeared with, and his jazz compositions have been performed by, among others, George Garzone, Dick Oatts, Tim Hagans, Seamus Blake, Jon Gordon, John Fedchock, John Swana, Terell Stafford, Scott Robinson, Gary Smulyan, Greg Hopkins, Tony Marino, John Hebert, Tim Horner, and various all-star jazz ensembles. He has been awarded grants in recognition of his jazz composing from the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Composers Forum.
David’s art music compositions have been premiered by Alea III, The Network For New Music, Les Thimmig, Arne Running, Charles Abramovic, Jonathan Blumenfeld, and Jarred Antonacci. His compositions have been cited for excellence by the Artists’s Foundation of Massachusetts, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the Vanguard Artists Associates.
David’s text book, Jazz Arranging, was published in 1998 by Ardsley House, an imprint of Scarecrow Press. It continues to be adopted for course work at many colleges and universities, and it maintains a wide readership among professional musicians and enthusiasts in general. His latest book, The Ella Fitzgerald Companion, an examination of the development and artistry of that great American singer, was released by Praeger Publishers in 2004 and is enjoying tremendous success.
David earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Compostion from Temple University, a Master of Music in Composition from the New England Conservatory of Music, and a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University. In addition, he completed advanced studies in arranging and woodwinds at Berklee College of Music. He is currently Adjunct Associate Professor and a member of the composition department at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia; and Artist-in-Residence at Temple University, where he teaches composition arranging, and theory, and conducts ensembles. Additionally, he was, from 2004-08, a member of the music faculty at the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts where he instructed woodwinds, directed free improvisation ensembles, and lectured in modern music. He has previously been a full-time faculty member at Berklee College of Music, Colby College, Franklin & Marshall College, and Ursinus College.
Awards:
American Composers Forum Subito GrantNational Endowment for the Arts: Fellowship Grant in Jazz Composition
University of the Arts Faculty Enrichment Grant
“...tecnica prodigiosa [prodigious technique]...” La Provincia (Cremona, Italy)
“...interesting and informative...a privilege having him...” Literary Council of Norristown (PA)
Norman David and THE ELEVENTET: At This Time
2011
Personnel:
Norman David: soprano saxophone
Dick Oatts: alto saxophone
George Garzone: tenor saxophone
Mark Allen: baritone saxophone
Tim Hagans: trumpet
Dennis Wasko: trumpet
Randy Kapralick: trombone
Jarred Antonacci: trombone
Tom Lawton: piano
John Hébert: bass
Dan Monaghan: piano
Norman David and GROUP 4: There's Room For All
2001
Personnel:
Norman David: soprano & tenor saxophones, clarinet
Tom Lawton: piano
Jason Fraticelli: bass
Dan Monaghan: drums
Disclaimer: All About Jazz is not responsible for the accuracy of the discographical data at the website(s) provided. If a link is no longer valid, please contact discography@allaboutjazz.com. Thank you.
Primary Instrument:
Saxophone
Location:
Philadelphia, PA
Willing to teach:
Intermediate to advanced students
Credentials/Background:
• Adjunct Associate Professor - University of the Arts: Studio Composition, Orchestration, Ensembles
• Artist-in-Residence - Temple University: Arranging, Composition, Ensembles
• Music Faculty (2004-08) - Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts: Woodwinds Studio, Ensembles, Contemporary Music.
Contact Norman David for information and to set up an appointment.
Clinic/Workshop Information:
- Masterclasses/Clinics on arranging and composition, high school to college
and advanced.
• Speaking Engagements / Guest Lectures: Author of The Ella Fitzgerald
Companion (Praeger Publishers)
- "Ella Fitzgerald and the Evolution of Jazz Singing"
• Arranging / Composition: Author of the highly-rated Jazz Arranging
(Scarecrow Press-Ardsley House)
