Strykin’ Ahead: Dave Stryker In Conversation with CJ Shearn
Guitarist Dave Stryker has been striking ahead as one of the best jazz guitarists on the scene for over two decades. The Omaha, Nebraska native moved to New York in 1980 and gained national prominence touring with legendary organist Brother Jack McDuff for a year, beginning in 1984. In 1986, Stryker joined the group of tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, an association that lasted until the sax great’s death in 2000.
Stryker has 30 albums to his credit, and his latest is entitled Strykin’ Ahead on his own Strikezone label, a quartet date featuring Steve Nelson on vibes, Jared Gold on organ and McClenty Hunter on drums, a hip mix of originals and reworked standards. The rarely used vibraphone and organ combination was inspired by the series of recordings guitarist Grant Green made with organist Larry Young for Blue Note beginning in 1964 featuring Elvin Jones on drums. I spoke with Stryker about the new album, the musicians, and repertoire as well as guitar giant John Abercrombie who recently passed away. This interview was recorded September 1, when Strykin’ Ahead was released and Mr. Stryker was embarking on a series of gigs to promote the album.
My thanks to Dave Stryker, and Jim Eigo of Jazz Promo Services.
I have been the staff writer for the New York Jazz Workshop School of Music blog in midtown Manhattan since 2014, and that has broadened my freelance writing skills considerably. In addition to writing artist bios, and articles of interest that pertain to the mission of the school, I have interviewed (in print on the site) legendary guitarist and NEA Jazz Master Pat Metheny, trumpeter Cuong Vu, and in 2015 embarked on producing a podcast for the school where I have achieved my dream and interviewed jazz giants such as Dave Liebman, Lenny White, rising talents like Thana Alexa, Logan Richardson, guitarist and bassist Brian Kastan, among others. I also work on SEO optimization for the blog. In 2015 I started my blog Jazz Views with CJ Shearn, and have written liner notes for 5 time Grammy winner and Oscar and Golden Globe nominee, Antonio Sanchez (for his latest recording “Channels of Energy”) and guitarist Gene Ess for his latest recording, scheduled to be released in November 2018.
My passion for jazz music is what drives me, which is an interest I’ve had since I can remember. I initially began writing about jazz at the age of 13 for my high school newspaper, and in my late teens contributed occasionally to jazzreview.com. In college I was member of the Harpur Jazz Project which brought jazz acts to campus. I’ve also contributed in the past to AllAboutJazz where I was mentored by John Kelman. I decided to focus on my passion for jazz music journalism after a job in the social services field as a caseworker went south, and as a person with a physical disability I work on going against the odds, living independently and having accomplished things people had said I’d never do.