David Tranchina, bassist, teacher, and composer, is an up and coming musician on the Los Angeles scene. As a bassist he is known for his big warm sound, solid groove and inventive melodic solos. He is an experienced teacher and has worked with children and adults of all ages. His compositions range from post-bop-ish to experimental and avant-garde.
Originally from Forestville, California, he started playing bass at age 13, and was self taught until he began studies with Classical bass virtuoso Barry Green at UC Santa Cruz where he earned is Bachelor’s Degree in Music. While at Santa Cruz he also studied Jazz with Stan Poplin, John Clayton, and Karlton Hester. In 2006 He moved to Los Angeles to attend Calarts, where he studied with Charlie Haden, and Darek Oles, and received his Master’s Degree in Jazz Performance in 2008. Other influences and mentors are Larry Koonse, Joe LaBarbara, Vinny Golia, Wadada Leo Smith, David Roitstein and Alfred Ladzekpo.
David has performed with Bennie Maupin, Gary Fukushima, Matt Otto, Nate Wood, Gonzalo Bergara, Lorca Hart, Walter Smith III, Bobby Watson, Mike Barone, Butch Morris, William Winant, Smith Dobson, Vinny Golia, Larry Koonse, and Joe LaBarbara. David has played some of the top jazz venues in Los Angeles, including The Jazz Bakery, Catalina’s, Vibrato, The Temple Bar, 2nd Street Jazz, Cafe Metropol, The Mint, and REDCAT.
David has composed music for animation, and has done quasi-improvised music music for experimental Dance and Theatre. His compositions have been described as “jiveâ€, “fishyâ€, “stinkingâ€, “bass-tasticâ€, “beautiful manâ€, “absolutely delightfulâ€, and “decomposedâ€. He looks for inspiration everywhere, and seeks to find humane and environmentally friendly ways to compose music.
He’s also has extensive studio experience, recording for the 16th and 17th Annual Calarts Jazz Album recorded at Capitol Records. He has recorded with Slumgum, Dirty Squid, Clinton Patterson, Brandon Sherman, Hanna Rifkin, The Botticellis, Chariman Mouse, and It’sawhale,
