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Below is a short background biography for your interest, edited from a press interview with Tony Cummings.
“After a childhood filled with classical music as a choral scholar at Peterborough Cathedral, David taught himself to play guitar, and played for local bands in Peterborough. Following studies in ceramics, music and education at college, David signed to Red Bus/EMI music, and then to PVK records with soul/folk singer Harvey Morgan in their acoustic duo Indian Summer. Blues guitarist Peter Green from Fleetwood Mac (who was by then pursuing a solo career) joined them for the signing lunch and celebration at a Berkshire restaurant. He was also signed to the PVK label at the time. After a busy and productive time playing guitar and piano for The Cast, an invitation to join Indie rock band The Sensible Jerseys resulted in a move to London. Early on their career the band were championed by BBC broadcasting legend John Peel, and then signed with Virgin records. When the band members went their separate ways, David went on to play for WEA/East West singer songwriter Tanita Tikaram, recording and touring all over Europe and the USA with her. This was followed European tours, radio, TV and promotion work playing guitar with the Irish jazz/blues artist Mary Coughlan.
In the early 1990’s he worked with EMI Artist Steve Booker, recording a BASF award winning CD with him and touring in Europe and opening for acts such as Bob Geldof, Suzanne Vega, Clannad, Steve Earle and the Dukes amongst others.
While working on this project, David was introduced to Steve’s producer, Andy Piercy, former lead singer of After The Fire. They began writing contemporary sacred music together and working in the music team at their local church, Holy Trinity Brompton. When not busy with music, sessions and production projects, they began meeting at Andy’s flat in Notting Hill Gate, to write, record and produce new songs. This resulted in two ground-breaking albums of their time; ‘Praise God from whom all blessings flow’ and ‘Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs.’
During the 90’s and early 2000 he recorded and toured with Virgin Records artist Julia Fordham, playing Japan, the Far East, Europe and the USA, touring with Sarah McLachlan on the Lilleth Fair events, and playing opening dates on Sheryl Crow’s world tour.
Late 2011 saw the completion of his first Hollywood film soundtrack, and several compositions have been featured in TV programmes in Europe and the USA. On the co-writing front, the rustic surroundings of a 16th century barn studio in Surrey were the location for writing and recording with Grammy award winning producer Kipper (John Eldridge) for Esther Alexander’s ‘Long Way Home’ album. Three of these writing collaborations were with Judy Tzuke, who is currently embarking on an exciting new recording and touring venture with Julia Fordham & Beverley Craven.More recently he has been writing and recording his own solo projects, as well as having worked on the electronica albums Pulse and Flight with Mr. Don in South Devon. New adventures include Ambient Experimental guitar recordings and concerts. Currently he is working on recordings for an acoustic & folk album, which will be followed by a sacred songs extended EP later in the year. Songwriting trips to Nashville have given birth to new material co-written with Phil Keaggy and Phil Madeira. “It’s great to spend time in Tennessee! A few years back I also decided to learn Appalachian claw-hammer banjo with East Tennessee’s very own banjo genius Matt Morelock, and I’m also keeping up with making pottery and ceramics when time allows. Mucking about with mud, basically!”
Session work over the years has included work for artists such as Julia Fordham, Steve Booker, Madness, Pele, Mickey Harte, Paul Heaton (Beautiful South), Tanita Tikaram, Helen Watson, Delirious (Cutting Edge 1), Matt Redman, Pele, Sheila Walsh, Robin Mark, Graham Kendrick, Paul Wilbur, The Woodthieves and Kim Hill amongst many others.”
Recordings update…..
The new recording projects are still underway. The first one is of folk and acoustic songs, with the help of Scott Minor at his vintage Wild Chorus studio, using a restored vintage tape MCI tape machine and original vintage outboard effects equipment, a Neve desk, and utilising CLASP recording technology. This will showcase the new acoustic/folk/band project songs. Meanwhile work continues with Ben McAmis on the overdubs and harmony sessions. The second was recorded live at 5th Avenue in Knoxville with Will Reagan engineering & co-producing the live sessions, and will showcase modern Liturgical sacred music. Overdubs and edits are taking place during 2017 prior to an announcement of release dates. In addition, a string quintet and piano project, titled ‘Fruit Of The Spirit’ is being mixed and is in the long process of completion. A new Ambient Abstract Guitar album was released in July, and plans are afoot for a new adventure with all things ambient and abstract. Never a dull moment. Stay tuned!
Record Label: Little Room Recordings.
Music Publishing: IQ Music Ltd. London and Liverpool, England, UK
Little Room Music: Administered by IQ Music Ltd. / Wixen Music USA