We’ve thrilled to West Orange guitarist-composer-educator Dave Stryker before…but not like this. His opening sets for Steely Dan last year proved his funky versatility. His set at Sculler’s in Boston blew the roof off the joint. His ‘Prime’ album was a deeeep groove. Now, though, he’s in a subservient role, yet his artistry is still in full flower, blossoming when called upon to add subtle layers of sophistication to ‘Brian Landrus Plays Ellington & Strayhorn’ on Palmetto Records.

They loved him in Boston! Guitarist-Composer-Educator Dave Stryker blew the roof off Sculler’s in Boston recently with his high-powered groove quartet featuring Walter Smith III on tenor sax, Jared Gold on organ and McClenty Hunter on drums. The addition of Smith gave his acclaimed organ trio new vitality and added muscle to an already solid unit.