David Janeway was born in Rochester, New York but moved to Detroit at age five. He began studying classical piano at the age of six. Early influences included Harold McKinney, Marcus Belgrave, Bill Evans and Denny Zeitlin. After moving to New York City in 1978, Janeway studied with the late Albert Dailey for two years. During this time he worked and recorded with Angel Canales and Orchestra Sabor along with other latin and jazz artists.
Janeway's compositions and improvisations reveal an intensely dedicated and sensitive individual. With his driving power and intricate rhythms he is an artist with an undeniably unique voice. Drawing upon his latin music experience, he often spices his music with unexpected salsa montunos and twists that make for passionate solos.
Janeway has also worked with Art Farmer, The Supremes, Michal Urbaniak, Spanky Wilson, David “Fathead” Newman, Jr. Cook, Sonny Fortune, Billy Hart, Tom Harrell, Danny Gottlieb, Louis Smith, Dakota Staton, Valery Ponomarev, Harvie S, Eddie Henderson, Benny Golson and others.
He has performed at the NYC clubs-Zanzibar, Sweet Basil, Visiones, Birdland, Sonny's, Sweet Rhythm, Village Gate as part of the Salsa Meets Jazz series and Madison Square Garden as part of the annual Salsa Festival in NYC. He has performed at the Detroit Montreux Jazz Festival, the Jazz Forum Arts Summer Festivals in New York and clubs throughout the US and Europe.
His first recording as a leader was entitled, “Entry Point” on New Direction Records, 1986/LP. It featured Bob Berg, Jon Burr, Marcus Belgrave and others. His second CD as a leader, “Inside Out”, on Timeless Records, 1993,CD SJP 402, features Sonny Fortune and Billy Hart. His third CD as a leader is David Janeway Trio-Excursion, on New Direction Music, 2004 and features Harvie S and Steve Davis.
