Dave Powell is a Bay Area-based musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter and music educator. Known for his melodic and soulful phrasing and talent for improvisational freestyling, Dave’s passion for music comes through in every intentional and free flowing note. With a wide range of influences, from Hendrix, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page to Blues, Country, Rock and Pop, Dave has developed a distinctive and melodic style all his own that is honest and heartfelt - heavy on the hooks, memorable riffs, while always serving the song first.
Since picking up his first guitar at the age of twelve, Dave has dedicated his life to the art of playing guitar and creating music. His passion began at an early age while growing up in a home filled with Jazz, Blues and Rock and Roll. It was Led Zeppelin’s "Heartbreaker" solo that lit the fire within and set him on his six-string journey.
Originally from the East Coast, Dave moved to California to attend Musicians Institute in Hollywood. After spending some time in Los Angeles, he settled in the San Francisco Bay Area and received his degree in Music, with an emphasis in Jazz Studies, from Sonoma State University. He also gained invaluable experience studying guitar privately with mentors Tom Kozic (Eddie Rabbitt), Jackie King (Willie Nelson) and Randy Vincent (Dizzy Gillespie).
In 2015, Dave became a certified Simply Music instructor, a global playing based music method, and has been teaching at WOW! Music Studios in Mill Valley, California for over a decade. In addition to guitar, Dave also teaches bass guitar, ukulele and piano and leads band workshops and summer camps for kids.
Dave is also a member and co-founder of the reggae rock band Fighting Smokey Joe. He has recorded and released two records: “Till The Morning” with producer Arne Frager of The Plant Studios and “Never Gonna Be the Same” with producer Lewis Richards of 17th Street Recording Studio in Costa Mesa. He has also received press for his songwriting efforts. Marin Independent Journal’s Paul Liberatore praised,
“…All I Need Is You, has all the elements of a hit radio single.”
Dave has played at many Bay Area bars, events and festivals including the San Francisco BBQ Festival, Petaluma’s Butter and Eggs Festival, San Rafael Farmer’s Market and the famous Sweetwater in Mill Valley. You can catch him around the Bay Area playing with local blues favorite Mari Mack & Livin' Like Kings.
Dave is currently working on a new Country, Southern Rock & Pop EP with Lewis Richards and Nick Sabia at 17th Street Recording Studio. His new single "Time Doesn't Wait For You" was released on November 1, 2024. He offers private lessons to all ages both in studio and online. He is also available for studio work, gigs and private events.
"Time Doesn't Wait For You"
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TIME DOESN'T WAIT FOR YOU
TIME DOESN'T WAIT FOR YOU
TIME DOESN'T WAIT FOR YOU
Released: 11.1.24. Produced by: Lewis Richards
NEVER GONNA BE THE SAME
TIME DOESN'T WAIT FOR YOU
TIME DOESN'T WAIT FOR YOU
Released: 9.29.15. Produced by: Lewis Richards
TILL THE MORNING
TIME DOESN'T WAIT FOR YOU
TILL THE MORNING
Released: 3.19.13. Produced by: Arne Frager
News
"Powell takes flight with some imaginative and impressive guitar work on Let You Go and has some fun with the spaghetti western intro to the tune You Will Never Know." -- Paul Liberatore, Marin Independent Journal
Studio & Live Cuts
Let You Go Solo
David Powell
Leaving Solo
David Powell
Never Gonna Be The Same Solo
David Powell
You Will Never Know Intro
David Powell
Who Knew Solo
David Powell
Got Me So Good Solo
David Powell
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