Dave LaGrande is a professional musician and educator based in the Nashville area. Adept in a variety of genres and styles, Dave has performed all over the United States, Hawaii and the Caribbean.
As a Southwest Florida native, Dave began on keyboard instruments at age 3, gave his first public performance at age 5 at an uncle's wedding, and began writing and composing at age 12. With his mother and grandfather being key influences he learned to respect and play music in multiple genres from rock and country to Big Band and swing, to classical and jazz.
Since then, music has been a constant in his life and career. Participating in his respective school music programs, putting himself through college while gigging on the weekends around Florida, Dave fulfilled his first set of goals as an serious student of music by earning a Bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Choosing saxophone as his primary instrument of study, Dave had the opportunity to learn from saxophone masters such as George Weremchuk and Jeff Rupert as well as visiting instructors Eugene Rousseau, and Lynn Klock. All the while, the piano was still helping him pay the bills and find work.
Beginning in 2002, David L Jones made a name for himself in northern Florida while working as an instrumental music teacher in the St. Johns County school system for 4 years. A winner of multiple grants for his music programs, as well as nominations for Teacher of the Year two years in a row earned him respect as an professional educator and clinician.but Nashville was still and had always been calling from a young age - and just shy of earning his coveted National Board Certification in teaching, he chose to make an important change in his life by putting the teaching career on an indefinite hold.
Shortly after moving to Nashville in late 2007, (and dropping Jones from his business card to use his given middle name LaGrande), Dave began receiving invitations to work around the Nashville area as well as on major US tours playing keyboards and saxophone with a variety of groups and artists. Most notable artists include: ACM nominee Heidi Newfield (Johnny & June), Grand Ole Opry legend Mel McDaniel (Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On), and 80's Pop Star Tiffany (I Think We're Alone Now). Other groups and artists include Tyler Dickerson, Johnny Bulford, The Last Straw, The Usual Suspects Big Band, Brandi Thornton, and many others.
In a relatively short period of time of moving to Music City, Dave has established himself as a respectable and dependable musician on both the stage and in the studio.
Dave is a member of AFM Local 257, BMI and continues to work and live in the Nashville area and considers all major project inquires. Dave is also a composer and songwriter.Dave has written with several notable songwriters including, Heidi Newfield, Johnny Bulford, Bobby Pinson, Hollie Poole, and Dexter Redding. Please feel free to come out to a show, listen here, or visit his other sites for additional information.
PUBLICATIONS:
By Dave LaGrande
Smart Playing for the Aspiring Side-MusicianThis article highlights some important tips for readers who are interested in becoming side-musicians. The author uses examples from his own real-life experiences as a professional side-musician living and working in Nashville, TN.Read More
