Kevin Downing 101 LAB Band w- David Becker (USA)

David Becker

For more than three decades, Grammy and Emmy nominated guitarist, composer, producer David Becker has continued to define himself as one of the best and most unique voices in jazz and contemporary music by combining diverse influences and a passion for the new and different, and his ability to play for the present while always keeping an eye on the past and future. He has led the critically acclaimed DAVID BECKER TRIBUNE to a worldwide audience by performing in more than 35 countries.

Over the years, the DBT has shared the stage with such celebrated jazz acts as Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Michael Brecker and many more. German television journalist Roger Willemsen (ZDF) called him "One of the best Jazz Guitarists ever." Jazz Podium and Downbeat called him "A poet on the Jazz Guitar." Jazz Thing and Gitarre & Bass called him” a virtuoso”. David has released 17 recordings many topping the jazz and contemporary music charts. He has performed at some of the most prestigious venues throughout the world including London's BARBICON CENTRE, Rotterdam's DE DOELEN, New York’s MADISON SQUARE GARDEN and BIRDLAND. Becker has also appeared at many international jazz festivals including The Monterey Jazz Festival.

David Becker graduated from Musicians Institute in 1981 at age 19 and by age 22 he was touring internationally with the David Becker Tribune. David signed with MCA records in 1986 and the release LONG PETER MADSEN debuted. SIBERIAN EXPRESS (#1 R&R) followed in 1988 and the DBT established themselves in the world of Contemporary Jazz performing in 44 of the 50 US states. Four more DBT releases followed, THIRD TIME AROUND, IN MOTION (Blue Moon), NEVSKY PROSPEKT (Pinorrekk) and GERMERICA (Silverline) respectively.

In 2005, David released a duo effort with guitar master Joe Diorio, THE COLOR OF SOUND. The CD was named "One of the best Guitar duo recordings of all time." - All Music. LEAVING ARGENTINA from 2007 received high praise by the international press. Down Beat gave it “4 Stars” and the BBC said, “Brilliant musicianship, a really lovely album, in fact.” David’s music can be heard on radio and television around the globe including ARD, RTL, The Weather Channel, Voice of America, XM/Sirius Radio, NPR.

With the release of the highly personal and critically acclaimed recording BATAVIA in 2010, Becker crossed the border of musician and has become an advocate for the forgotten WWII Dutch POW’s in Indonesia. BATAVIA was ranked as one of the top 10 World Music recordings of 2010 by World Music central.org. In 2015, following the critically acclaimed DBT 2013 album, DISTANCE TRAVELED (CMJ Jazz top 20), a solo
 ecording THE LONELY ROAD (Acoustic Music Records) was released . The album reached #30 on the iTunes Instrumental top 100 charts and was called, “One of the best solo guitar CD’s available today.” (Amazon UK) Becker also produced, arranged and performed on the Attila Zoller tribute record, MESSAGE TO ATTILA (ENJA) which also features Ron Carter, Pat Metheny, Mike Stern, John Abercrombie, Jim Hall and more.

David has been active in music education releasing three instructional books: GETTING YOUR IMPROVISING INTO SHAPE (Mel Bay/Acoustic Music), PLAYING IN SHAPES (FingerPrint), RHYTHMIC MOTIFS FOR COMPING AND
SOLOING (FingerPrint) as well as video courses TRANSITIONS TO JAZZ (True Fire) and UNLOCKING THE POWER OF TRIADS (Guitareo). His books/videos have been top sellers and have received great reviews worldwide. He has performed masterclasses and workshops at some of the most prestigious Music Conservatories and Universities around the world.

In June of 2018, the DBT released a new studio recording single of KIWI DREAMS (Acoustic Music Records) written for their 2016 Tour of New Zealand. David also teamed up with renowned guitarist Brad Rabuchin (Ray Charles) to record a tribute album for guitarist John Abercrombie. FOR JOHN was released in June 2019 and has been receiving great praise worldwide.

In 2020, David wrote and released an Etudes book and in 2021, he recorded a trio project with Drummer Chris Bowman and former DBT Bassist Jim Donica. He also taped a series for the SPACE CHANNEL called PLANETS. Both projects are scheduled for release in 2022.

Kevin Downing’s 101 Lab Band

The 101 Lab Band is a 17-piece guitar orchestra run by Kevin Downing who is an internationally recognised guitar education specialist.  The band plays a mixture of jazz and blues and has a reputation for backing some of the world’s greatest jazz and blues guitar players and singers.  Some of the tunes being played are also written by Grammy nominated artists especially for the band.

The band has been running for 32 years and has propelled many players coming through it into successful professional careers in music. This band is a one of its kind in New Zealand, and all the players in the band are current students or teachers at Kevin’s guitar school in Palmerston North.

This band always plays to sold out shows .