Born: May 28, 1970 Primary Instrument: Saxophone
Saxophonist Dave Sterner is a traditional jazz musician with a bent for mixing swing, funk and the blues into his sound. Spending his entire career in the Mid-West, Sterner earned his degree in music from Indiana University and early on played with funk and R&B bands. Returning to his home town of Cleveland, he has performed with Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Harry Connick Jr., The Manhattan Transfer, The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, The Jazz Heritage Orchestra and the Dizzy Gillespie All-star Big Band to name a few. In addition to teaching for the Cuyahoga Community College jazz program, Mr. Sterner conducts the Lakeland Community College Civic Jazz Orchestra and co-directs the Lakeland Jazz Festival. Sterner appears on three cds with Ernie Krivda’s Fat Tuesday Big Band (Koch Label), the N. Glenn Davis Quartet (Jazzed Media, 2008) and the N. Glenn Davis Quintet, featuring Phil Woods (Jazzed Media, 2009).
The Dave Sterner Quintet came together in the spring of 2003 and performs a wide range of musical styles. On their debut CD, “What’s What”, the group is heard composing its own original music and reinterpreting classic charts in a more modern style. In 2007, the group received “The Best Jazz Band” music award from the Cleveland FREE TIMES Magazine. The quintet consists of an alto and tenor saxophone on the front line, and a traditional piano, bass, and drum rhythm section.
Sidetracked (Speak Jazz Records, 2011) is the group’s second quintet release featuring all original material inspired by the traditions of Cannonball Adderley and Horace Silver mixed with the modern leanings of Joshua Redman and John Ellis. Sterner is joined on this recording and concert by veteran drummer Paul Samuels (Greg Osby), bassist Glenn Holmes (Bill Ransom), pianist Roger Friedman (Eddie Henderson, Greg Bandy) and tenor saxophonist Chris Burge (Up Ensemble, Jazz Heritage Orchestra).
“You get no sense of ego-driven sensibilities or weighty agendas, just good, clean fun.” -Willard Jenkins - The Independent Ear
“Sterner’s music is always accessible, energetic, logically constructed, rhythmically inviting, technically accomplished and fun to hear.” -Bill Donaldson Cadence Magazine Vol. 33 No.4 p.114 April 2007
“For the toetapping material, top musicianship and pure moments of creative supremacy, Sidetracked is a listening pleasure that warrants replay.”
Nancy Ann Lee Jazz & Blues Report, April 2011
The Dave Sterner Quintet
Sidetracked
Speak Jazz Records
2011
Tracks:1. Mine-or Yours, 2.Where Y'at, 3.Rotten Eggs, 4.Problem Solved, 5.Waiting, 6.Looking Glass, 7.Midlife Crisis, 8.Not Quite Yet, 9. What'd he Say- I Don't Know?, 10.Samba Dis, Samba Dat,
Personnel: Dave Sterner: alto/sop sax, Chris Burge: tenor sax, Roger Friedman: Piano, Glenn Holmes: bass, Paul Samules: drums.
As a Leader
The Dave Sterner Quintet
What's What
Self produced
2006
Tracks:1. The Jive Song, 2.Slick Willy, 3.A Lazy Day, 4.What Was, 5.Waltz for Pop, 6.The Lucky Ones, 7.That's All, 8.JS 4 Fun 9. Don't Get Around Much Anymore, 10.S.P. Jones, 11. But Not For Me, 12. Split Kick
Personnel: Dave Sterner: alto sax, Chris Burge: tenor sax, Roger Friedman: Piano, Kurt Felgemaker: bass, Ray Porrello: drums, Beau Lisy: percussion.
As A Side Musician
The N. Glenn Davis Quintet featuring Phil Woods
Come Right In
N. Glenn Davis
Jazzed Media
2009
Tracks: 1. A Different Day, 2.Come Right In, 3.Fumba Rumba, 4.Just a Tadd, 5.Warm Smile, 6.If You Could See Me Now, 7. Wkin'Up Blues, 8.Time Remembered, 9.Alex's Song, 10. Minor Backup.
Personnel: Jack Schantz: trumpet, Dave Sterner: alto/soprano sax, Mark Soskin: piano, Dean Johnson: bass, N. Glenn Davis: drums, special guest Phil Woods: alto sax.
As A Side Musician
The N. Glenn Davis Quartet
A Different View
N. Glenn Davis
Jazzed Media
2007
Tracks: 1. The Happy People, 2. Distant Celebration, 3. Monday Night Jam, 4. Sliding, 5. In Passing, 6. Ashley's Samba, 7. Hometown Waltz, 8. Passion Walk, 9. Eadie Is A Lady, 10, Bright Roads, 11. It's Late.
Personnel: Dave Sterner: alto/tenor/soprano saxes, Larry Porter: piano, Dallas Coffey: bass, N. Glenn Davis: drums.
As A Side Musician
Ernie Krivda & the Fat Tuesday Big Band
Body & Soul
Ernie Krivda & the Fat Tuesday Big Band
One Soul Records
2005
As A Side Musician
Ernie Krivda & the Fat Tuesday Big Band
The Band That Swings
Ernie Krivda & the Fat Tuesday Big Band
Koch
1999
As A Side Musician
Ernie Krivda & the Fat Tuesday Big Band
Perdido
Ernie Krivda & the Fat Tuesday Big Band
Koch
1997
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