Bio

Born and raised in Northern New Jersey, this guitar slinger got his initial taste of the rock star life at age ten when he received his first guitar.  A red and gold six-string modeled in the tradition of the legendary Eddie Van Halen was but the first of the many guitars Dave has blessed with his talent over the years.

Dave with Original Rock Group Ichabod Kraine 1997

Dedicating endless hours to the craft, Crum displayed his mastery of the guitar in countless performances throughout his junior and senior high school years.  He would go on to study at New Jersey City University.  As part of their renowned music program, Dave dabbled in numerous genres, excelling at every style, from rock to blues, and classical to jazz (not to mention everything in-between).  He has spent years learning from some of the best out there, such as J.B. Lessin of Soulfinger, Ana Maria Rosado of classical specialty, and jazz guitarists Paul Meyers and  Pete McCann.  Completing his undergraduate studies in 2000, Crum showed his academic prowess by graduating with a degree in music education and then returned to NJCU to obtain his Masters Degree in Jazz Performance in the Fall of 2006.

These days Crum still spends every waking moment of the day involved in music.  After spending his workdays teaching instrumental music in Ridgefield, where he was awarded the New Jersey Governor's Teacher of The Year Award, Crum heads home to grab his axe and play with some of  New  Jersey and New York's finest musicians. Between turning the youth of America on to music, and  pouring his heart out through performing, Dave continues to practice his craft, always looking to further his mastery of the guitar.  Never satisfied and fueled by his passion, he pursues perfection in both tone and technique to raise his ability to the next level and prove why he is one of the premiere axe-men in the tri-state area, in demand by a number of artists.  Recently Dave has worked with such diverse artists as Shauna Park, Ashely Rose, Cris Russo, and Justina.  He has also performed with the bands JAMROK, The Mix, and most recently, Blue Light District.  

March of 2003 witnessed the release of Dave's first full-length recording effort, "project murc".  The album is both a tribute to his musical influences and an onslaught of sound and style that takes the listener on a transcendental journey form the traditions of classic jazz, to the far reaches of today's club scene and everywhere in-between.  Each track is a testament to Dave's prowess and persistence.  The first track, fittingly entitled "evolution" is as impressive in technique as it is appropriate in name since it is the beginning of a long trip that takes the audience through numerous stages of music's rich heritage and development.  The next twelve tracks, including such infectious works as "scorched earth", ""kickin' it", and "girl in the club"  fail to disappoint while leaving the listener yearning for more.  Although he deems it a "side project", Crum's "project murc" is far more.  It is an undertaking as great in scope as it is impressive in content.  Perhaps more fittingly, it is an assault on the boundaries many musicians find themselves constrained by.  Good players go to the limits and push against the barriers, while truly great players tear down the walls, redefining the rules.  With "project murc", Dave Crum seems to understand the rules as easy as he makes creating breathtaking melodies seem, as he rewrites the whole book with every note he plays.    

-Matthew Mulholland                                                                      

Dave with Jazz Trumpet Legend Randy Brecker

                                                            at NJCU Jazz Ensembles 1998

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