The Continuing Adventures of Dave Stryker

Dave Stryker by Chris Drukker

We’ve been following the exploits of West Orange guitarist-producer-composer Dave Stryker since before he opened for Steely Dan in 2022. His Prime album in 2023 was, in a word, magnificent. In 2024, he went “To The Movies.” That same year, he popped up on an album playing Ellington and Strayhorn by Brian Landrus. And, man, did we love his Blue Fire recorded at the legendary Van Gelder studio in Englewood Cliffs.

But what has he done for us lately?

Good question. When Naptown Soul (Strikezone Records), by sax man Rob Dixon, came in, there he was again, providing hot licks with organist Sam Fribush and drummer Sleepy Floyd. Here’s where Stryker exhibits his best Wes Montgomery chops on two Wes classics: “Naptown Blues” (1965) and “Bumpin’ On Sunset” (1966). Considering Wes is widely perceived to be one of the greatest jazz guitarists of all-time, Stryker, amazingly, captures his essence without resorting to mimicry whatsoever. It’s an Indianapolis thing (Naptown is a familiar nickname for that area) but we here at TJS love that Stryker added his rootsy, gutsy Jersey punch.