West Orange Guitarist Dave Stryker Shows Another Side Of His Artistry

Brian Landrus Ellington Strayhorn

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.

Landrus is amazing. On this record, he plays baritone sax, bass sax, bass clarinet, contra alto clarinet, piccolo, C-flute, alto flute and bass flute. Plus, we just found out he moved to Roxbury in Morris County. Stryker, on “Star Crossed Lovers,” is so eloquent in his lyricism, it takes your breath away. On “Warm Valley,” Stryker’s chords are like waves gently cascading upon the shore. His “Lotus Blossom” duet with Landrus stands out from the more orchestral tracks as a stark example of tender artistry.  And his opening salvo to “Prelude To A Kiss” is alone worth the price of admission. Ellingtonia hasn’t sounded this good in years.


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Mike Greenblatt

MIKE GREENBLATT has been writing for Goldmine magazine and New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly for more than 35 years. His writing subjects fill the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's interviewed Joe Cocker, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and members of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. He was 18 when he attended Woodstock in 1969.

In addition to writing about music, Greenblatt has worked on publicity campaigns for The Animals, Pat Benatar, Johnny Winter, Tommy James and Richard Branson, among others. He is currently the editor of The Jersey Sound.

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