David Eyges

David MacAulay Eyges (born November 6, 1950) is an American jazz cellist, composer, and record producer.

David Eyges
Birth nameDavid MacAulay Eyges
Born (1950-11-06) November 6, 1950
San Francisco, California, U.S.
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, record producer
InstrumentsCello, electric cello
Years activeMid-1970s–present
LabelsMidLantic

Early life

Eyges was born in San Francisco on November 6, 1950.[1] His family settled in Belmont, Massachusetts, in 1953.[1] He began playing the piano aged five and had cello lessons from age 11.[1] In 1968–69 he studied at Boston University, and he was awarded a BA for cello studies by the Manhattan School of Music in 1972.[1] Encounters with blues musicians in Cambridge, Massachusetts, were an important influence, as Eyges sought to transfer elements of their music to the cello.[1]

Later life and career

"Eyges worked for a few years in various concert orchestras and theater ensembles, sometimes earning fees providing background music for commercials."[1] His recording career began in 1974, with vibraphonist Bobby Paunetto.[1] Eyges's debut album as leader – The Captain – came three years later.[1] He married in 1976 and a son was born in 1984.[1]

From 1987 Eyges specialized in playing a Tucker F. Barrett solid-body electric cello.[1] He commented that, in addition to being able to produce a variety of colours from the instrument, it had two advantages over an acoustic cello: "volume, because playing an acoustic instrument with a fierce drummer just doesn't make it; and transportability, since I can safely put it in the baggage compartments of planes and trains."[2]

Eyges's playing influenced later generations of creative cellists, who appeared from the 1990s.[1] He formed MidLantic Records in 2002 and produced albums for the label, as well as continuing to play.[1]

Playing style

Jon Pareles noted two facets of Eyges's playing in 1983.[3] When plucking, his trio (James Emery on guitar and Sunny Murray on drums) was bluesy and "Eyges treated his cello as a percussive instrument".[3] When bowing, "the pieces called for long-breathed melodies".[3]

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References
  1. Arwulf Arwulf "David Eyges". AllMusic.
  2. Shoemaker, Bill (April 1, 1998) "David Eyges". JazzTimes.
  3. Pareles, Jon (August 28, 1983) "Jazz: David Eyges". The New York Times.
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