Dave Bainbridge

Biography

Born in Darlington, England from a musical family. Dave had piano lessons from the age of eight and learnt guitar from thirteen. He joining his first band 'Exodus' at fourteen.

Dave went to Leeds College of Music, gaining the "BBC Radio 2 Best Jazz Soloist Award" whilst there. Whilst at college Dave, met singer and songwriter Adrian Snell. The result was a working partnership that spanning eight years and through which he would first meet Joanne Hogg and David Fitzgerald. This partnership went on to be the founding force behind the group Iona.

Dave toured the world with the band between 1989 and 2015, releasing 13 critically acclaimed albums. Dave’s multi-faceted career as a solo artist, keyboardist, guitarist, bouzouki player, composer, improviser, producer, arranger, teacher and sound mixer has led him into many musical genres and work with numerous artists including: Strawbs (current keyboardist), Jack Bruce, Buddy Guy, Troy Donockley (Nightwish), Nick Beggs, Gloria Gaynor, Moya Brennan, Robert Fripp, Mae McKenna, Phil Keaggy, Paul Jones, Damian Wilson, Nick Fletcher, ‘Snake’ Davis, Adrian Snell, PP Arnold, Mollie Marriott, Lifesigns (with John Young), Norman Beaker, Fred T Baker, Dave Brons, Paul Bielatowicz and many others.

Winner of the BBC Radio 2 Best Jazz soloist award (piano) and the Sam Hood Rosebowl for Outstanding Performance during his time at Leeds Music College (where he graduated with a first class pass, including distinction in arranging), Dave has composed soundtracks for numerous short films, TV and multimedia productions and has co-written a guitar concerto with Classic FM favourite Nick Fletcher, released on the album ‘Cathedral of Dreams’ (2009).

Dave has released three solo albums, ‘Veil of Gossamer’ (2004), ‘Celestial Fire’ (2014) and his first solo piano album ‘The Remembering’ (2016). The ‘Celestial Fire’ album led to the formation of the band of the same name in 2015 and the Celestial Fire band ’Live in the UK’ DVD/2 cd album was released in April 2017.

Dave has also released two collaborative albums with Troy Donockley and two with David Fitzgerald (Iona).

Current live projects include his new band Celestial Fire, Strawbs, the Dave Bainbridge & Sally Minnear duo, Lifesigns and occasional solo concerts. Dave is arranger & musical director for Adrian Snell’s ongoing sell out live performances in The Netherlands of his works ‘The Passion’, ‘Light of the World’ and Alpha and Omega, which feature a full band of top Dutch session musicians, vocal soloists and a 60 piece choir.

"Dave Bainbridge is a genius of immeasurable proportions….working with artists as varied as Buddy Guy, Jack Bruce and IONA. If you are unfamiliar with him it's time to make amends. Trust me." Nick Beggs (Steve Wilson, Steve Hackett etc., etc.)

"I've been listening to 'Celestial Fire' and I love it! Wow… That's some amazing stuff man! Really one of the best albums I've heard in a while." Neal Morse (Transatlantic / Flying Colors)

“Dave is both a solo artist and a major driving force behind the band Iona. His fluid, emotional guitar playing, epic keyboard work and expansive compositions combine into one of this generation’s most powerful and original musical voices.” John Kellogg (producer for Britney Spears, Chicago, Foreigner, Black Crows, Deep Purple, ELP)

“Bainbridge's guitar playing is superb; his electric solos conjure Eric Johnson and Allan Holdsworth, while his acoustic technique dazzles, thanks to a remarkable dexterity and the use of unusual tunings.…” www.progressiveworld.net

“Celestial Fire is absolute sonic brilliance!” Chris MacIntosh 88.1fm WCWP New York

“Soaring guitar passages, stunning keyboard work, and inspirational waves of orchestral prog.” Bert Saraco www.tollbooth.org

Musical description

A multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, Bainbridge's solo material continues in the style established in Iona, fusing progressive rock, Celtic folk, classical and improvisational elements in a unique way.

A number of members of Iona have recorded solo albums, or co-operated on each others.

Discography

(Iona's and Dave's solo & collaboration are albums available from www.iona.uk.com/store)

Solo

With Iona

see Iona for a list of their recordings

With Dave Fitzgerald

With Troy Donockley

Other collaborations