Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Lincoln.
Dave, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m now 63 years old, and I first began playing guitar in Dallas/Ft Worth nightclubs when I was 15 years old. From the 1970s through the first decade of the 21st century, I was a very busy sideman in DFW playing guitar at hundreds of high profile galas. The Crystal Charity Ball being one of the annual events that I’m still involved with. In 2009 I began focusing completely on playing Jazz Guitar after I was approached to supply two Solo Jazz Guitar performances at the Winspear Opera House for the Grand Opening Opening Week of the Dallas Center For the Performing Arts. I was one of a handful of local artists to be so honored. Since then, Dallas has been a haven for my music with a number of featured performances at The Dallas Arboretum, The Hotel Crescent Court, Neiman Marcus Special Events, and The Mansion On Turtle Creek.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Although picking up a guitar and learning to play mostly by ear, I have been very blessed with being able to work steadily since I was 15. I built a reputation as a guy that could cover a wide variety of guitar styles and could mimic the sound and style of famous guitarists: Django Reinhardt, Clapton, Hendrix, Santana, B.B. King. This led me to play on bandstands with a number of highly skilled and formally educated musicians, many that were alumni of the North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band. This thrust me into learning to read music because having a good ear gets you a long way, but it doesn’t totally carry you when you are in the company of the best musicians in this part of the country.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I play Jazz Guitar, primarily solo, though also in duets with a bassist, or a trio adding a drummer or vocalist. I love the intimacy and transparency of small musical settings. I focus on playing jazz standards from The Great American Songbook, because they are time tested musical vehicles, and because they’re tremendous works of art, and a challenge to play well!!! Perhaps I’m most proud of the fact that my touch on guitar is very personal, and I approach playing almost like a singer, with a whole lot of soul and passion. Often musicians play to impress people, impress them with flash and “hot licks.” Of course, a certain level of proficiency is necessary to play jazz well, but I believe that music needs to touch people’s hearts and pull them in on an emotional level. For me, it’s always about chasing beauty. I’m most proud that I am successful at connecting with people, and this has led The Dallas Arboretum and Neiman Marcus Special Events to have me on their “first call” list. I’m very proud and blessed!!!!!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Perhaps the largest credit goes to bandleader and friend, James Davis. James is a very fine, Classically trained pianist, and began using me to play very high profile society jobs when I was young, I got this opportunity because I could cover a wide variety of guitar styles, and I could help take his collection of top local musicians into credibly covering Rock, Country and Pop styles of music. He threw me into a milieu of highly trained and educated musicians. Playing with “heavy hitter” musicians forces you to grow. James has always been a tremendous advocate for me, and he overlooked some of my early music reading struggles, and probably, ultimately, has been the most important musical relationship of my life. I still work annually with James at The Crystal Charity Ball in Dallas, and The Steeplechase Ball and Assembly Balls in Ft Worth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dave-lincoln-jazz-guitar.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
- Phone: 8173663723
- Email: thedavelincoln@gmail.com
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoJz0Agd8-A&list=PLy_LtAwgKWQJZWp1WTSw4EPLP79iFAxfK
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