David Strayer

Drummer David Strayer plays in all styles including avant garde , americana / country and western , indie, lounge, jazz, experimental and rock & roll. Strayer has studied with jazz legend Shelly Manne, Jeff Porcaro , Greg Bissonette , Jerry Deupree (Morphine), and Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson). He has toured the U.S.,Europe and Asia,and has played at many festivals including the Coachella Valley Music Festival. Strayer also plays and collects vintage drums spanning from the 1920s through the 1980s, including a 1953 Gretsch R.B. silver sparkle kit.
His drumming influences include Elvin Jones, Jeff Porcaro , Tony Williams , Roy Haynes , Jack Dejohnette, Mick Fleetwood , Joey Baron , Dave Tough ,Kenny Wolleson ,Max Roach, Billy Higgins, Russ Kunkel , Richie Hayward , Al Foster, Steve Gadd, Michael Botts , Han Bennink, Jon Christensen , Vinnie Coliauta , Jeff Ballard , Paul English , Philly Joe Jones , Sonny Payne , Jim Keltner , Jerry Marotta and Steve Jordan.
Musical influences include Frank Zappa , Charlie Parker , Aaron Copland , Bill Frisell , Monk , Karla Bonoff , Miles Davis , Willie Nelson , David Bowie , Bill Evans , Coltrane , Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys , Scott Walker, Jimmy Webb , Serge Gainsbourg , Weather Report , Linda Ronstadt , Mahavishnu Orchestra , Les Baxter , Ahmad Jahmal and Warren Zevon.
David is currently performing / playing drums with " Cliff Wagner & Old Number 7" on a 1959 Slingerland "cocktail drum kit ".
David has played and recorded with the following artists:
Paula Cole, Mai Zetterling - Balcony, Grant Lee Buffalo, Carl Stepenson ( Beck, Forest for the Trees, Ghetto Boyz ), MC Squeak ( Ghetto Boyz, Forest for the Trees), Forest for the Trees, Lili Haden , Mike Stinson, Paul Jackson ( Herbie Hancock , Headhunters) Lilium ,Tony Gilkyson (X), Pascal Humbert ( 16 Horsepower, Lilium, Woven Hand, Passion Fodder), Ezther Balint (actress and singer),.... Stranger Than Paradise..), Rex Voto , Astrid Young (Neil Young), Mary Wells ( The Supremes), Theo Hakola (Passion Fodder), Noir Desir, Jeff Ballard (Chick Corea,Brad Mehldau, Pat Metheny), Kenny Wolleson (Norah Jones,Tom Waits,Bill Frisell), Greg Lisher(Camper Van Beethoven, Monks of Doom), Donny McCaslin (Gary Burton, Steps Ahead), Norman Brown , Kenny Carr ( Ray Charles ) , Derek Sherinian (Billy Idol, Alice Cooper, Dream Theater),Doug MacDonald, Jon Paul Bjarnasson, Eric Von Essen ,Random AOK, Derek Oles , Anders Swanson (Ray Charles ), Greg Chansky (Richie Havens), Tim Emmons ( Saga, Freeflight), Henri Paul & the Perepherique Allstars , Slightly Weathered Teenager, Chet Woo & the Troops , Cliff Wagner & the Old 7 , Cucumber Monacle, Oatbran Gestapo, Cougars vs. Kittens , Michelle Shocked , Ben Peeler .