David Ervin

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David Ervin was born on March 16,1961 in Englewood New Jersey. From the age of 10 David grew up in Altadena California, where he began to take after his musical father DiFosco Ervin, a.k.a. Big Dee Irwin. DiFosco Ervin was a singer, songwriter, and recording artist who led the Doo-Wop singing group "The Pastels". At the age of 14 David combined elements of rock, funk and soul using analog synthesizers. Shortly thereafter David jumped on the digital technology bandwagon and purchased a variety of digital keyboards and synthesizers which offered him new creative possibilities.This pivotal period in music technology brought new colors and dimensions to the west coast recording scene. Coupled with this new technology and benefitting from a strong classical piano background David began adopting and inserting stylistic elements of early jazz pianists like Earl Hines and Teddy Wilson.

A few years later around the age of 20 David Ervin soon became a sought after Los Angeles session musician. David created and performed complete rhythm tracks and continued to harness the cutting edge music technology of newly developed digital synthesizers and sequencers as tools to inspire his creations. David's tracks were heard on various 80's and 90's chart topping recordings. David's recording credits include hit albums by:Tina Turner, Natalie Cole, Phyllis Hyman, Gladys Knight and the Pips, various albums by the Jacksons, including hits by Jermaine and Michael, The Crusaders and Joe Sample. David's songwriting credits include songs recorded by Bobby"blue"Bland and Bobby Womack].

Around the year 2001 David Ervin began to unlock the early history of jazz piano that was becoming antiquated and out of reach. After developing a curriculum to present his findings David Ervin now specializes in teaching jazz piano improvisation, composition, and music theory based on deeply rooted historical jazz piano traditions ranging from 1865 through the early 1940's. Period styles include: marches, tangos, waltzes, spirituals, gospel, ragtime, stride and swing, leading up to the birth of bebop.

David Ervin performs on solo piano and keyboards and in ensemble settings throughout California, the United States and Abroad.