photo: Klody Tremblay
David was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia in 1961. He studied music at both Acadia and St. Francis Xavier Universities where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music as well as a Diploma in Jazz Studies. In 1983, he moved to Toronto and was a co-founder of the Shuffle Demons with whom he recorded five discs, several videos and toured throughout Europe and North America from 1985 to 1995. He also composed or was the principal composer of many of the Shuffle Demon hit songs including the classics: “Spadina Bus” and “Out of my House Roach”. He has one gold record, (Contact! The All-Star Collection…a collection of hockey themes that includes The Shuffle Demon version of “The Hockey Night in Canada Theme”) He has one Juno nomination for Best Jazz Album “Streetniks” by the Shuffle Demons.
Since leaving the Shuffle Demons in 1995, he has been playing and recording in the Quebec City area both with his jazz trio, The Trio David Parker, (two discs), Jig’s Up! (one disc) the electrifying sax quartet Sax-O-Matic (one disc), Saudade (three discs), The Dudes of Swing,(one EP), The Groove Music Project and the Ligue d'Impro Musicale de Québec, among others. In 2005, David completed his Masters in Jazz Performance at Laval University.
MUSICAL EXPERIENCE
1982 - present: Professional Saxophonist, singer and songwriter
1995 - present: Band Leader (Trio David Parker, The Dudes of Swing, Jig’s Up)
1984 - present: Co-founder (Sax-O-Matic, The Shuffle Demons)
1982 - present: Sideman (Saudade, The Groove Music Project)
1982 - present: Special guest (Blue Rodeo, Doctor John)
2001 - present: Performing member in the "League d'impro musicale de Québec"
MAIN RECORDINGS
The Shuffle Demons (5 discs), Saudade (3 discs), The Trio David Parker (2 discs), Jig's Up! (1 disc),
The Dudes of Swing (1 EP), Hockey Project (1 EP)
TELEVISION
Much Music, Musique plus, The Ralph Benmergui Show (CBC), The Lonesome Pine Special (PBS),
The Elephant Show (Sharron, Lois & Bram), Canada AM and others.
MUSIC VIDEOS
Spadina Bus, Out of My House Roach (both original compositions were in regular rotation on Much Music and Musique plus)
TOURING
Most major jazz and folk festivals in Canada and Western Europe as well as tours of the USA and Cuba.
AWARDS
Jazz Juno nomination for "Streetniks" (Shuffle Demons) 1986; Gold record for "Contact!" The All-Star Collection CD
"Theme from Hockey Night in Canada"
SONGWRITING
Over 40 original compositions on Itunes, Spotify etc.
JINGLES
Co-songwriter & saxophonist on "Ninja's Unboxing" 2012, (4.2 million views on Youtube);
Singer for "1-800 Got Junk" radio commercial.
MUSICAL THEATRE:
In the process of writing "Skates Randolf Gets the Blues" - a jazz-flavoured twist on hockey and its' origins.
Band leader for QAC production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" (2018) and "Hair"(2022)
NARRATION
Promo for Fraser Recovery Program (substance abuse help).
English overdubs for various businesses in the Quebec City area.
ADJUDICATION
Université de Laval saxophone juries; Rhythms International Music Festivals
ACTING
2022: Silent actor for commercials (Métro de Montréal, Casino de Charlevoix)
2022: Background actor: Désobéir (serie à venir sur CRAVE)
2010: Conseil supérieur de la lanque française - web capsules
1986 -1995: Music videos with Shuffle Demons for Much Music etc.
1999 - 2022: Humerous musical clips with Sax-o-matic for Youtube (500,000+ views) and Tiktok (150,000+ views)