Biography

Born and raised in the Philadelphia area, Dave studied classical piano for 10 years as a child and started playing music professionally during his teenage years.  Dave discovered jazz while in college and performed as the pianist for the Syracuse University Jazz Ensemble.   Returning to Philadelphia after college, Dave played local jazz clubs full time for 7 years and studied jazz theory with several teachers, most notably Jimmy Amadie and Dennis Sandole.  

Moving to the DC area in 1981, Dave performed in a variety of settings, from solo piano to the jazz big band, and appeared in leading DC jazz clubs, including Blues Alley.   In the late 90’s, he started focusing on trio work.  He began a long-term engagement at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Arlington VA and released his first trio CD, “Out of Nowhere”.   During this time, Dave also collaborated regularly with several vocalists, including Barry Neal.  

In 2006, interested in exploring the piano-percussion duo format, Dave started performing with Mike Wingo and evolving his duo repertoire. This duo format allows the pianist increased flexibility and freedom to improvise over the entire span of the piano keyboard.   In 2010, Dave and Mike released their first duo CD, entitled "Conversations" to very positive reviews (see Press page).  The Anderson-Wingo duo also performed with a number of vocalists and recorded a CD with Kim Scudera entitled "Exploration".   

In the Spring of 2020, Dave and Mike's second duo CD, titled “Pathways”, was released.   Currently, Dave performs regularly at UUCF in Fairfax VA and occasionally at other DC area concert venues.   

Dave Anderson is a jazz pianist of rare sensitivity.” - Edgar Kushotka

— Philadelphia Inquirer