The Banjo Artistry of
- DAVE MARTY
Above, headliner Dave Marty is on stage at a 1997 convention of fretted instruments in Sacramento, CA.
(The piece you hear playing is a tune that Ray recorded at one of Dave's sets on a Sunday evening a few years ago. The tune is an earlier version of the same tune on Dave's CD. Dave's impeccable banjo playing shows clearly in this recording, as does the fabulous keyboard work of Gary Neuman, Dave's partner.)
A Brief Synopsis of Dave Marty
(Compiled by R. Miller)
Dave Marty was born and raised in San Francisco, California. In his early teens, he began playing a ukulele, but soon graduated to banjo. During those years, he was given a banjo by his father, and immediately began teaching himself to play. In the 1950's when Dave was trying to develop some talent playing the banjo, folk music was the rage. Not to be swayed by this, he persisted in learning everything he could about jazz banjo and traditional dixieland banjo.
Within a few years of starting, Dave converted from guitar tuning to plectrum tuning. This was a turning point in his development. As he grew in his music, his notoriety as a superb banjoist spread far and wide.
Dave has played all over the world, traveling for the Red Garter franchise chain.
He has played as the featured headline attraction aboard cruise ships for 17 years. He has headlined countless
banjo festivals and other large events of a similar nature. In a nutshell,
Dave Marty is a sought after banjo performer and entertainer who is known for
his impeccably smooth and accurate style, and his humor. He is a master showman.
The Red Garter Band at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair If you know Dave, you know his sense of humor is boundless as is evidenced by the banjo hanging from the statue of the woman and child. Funny guy, that Dave, and HE is the band leader.
Band members from left to right are: Fred Zwicker (tuba), Terry Quinn (guitar, banjo, vocals), Bob 'Moshe' Lasley (piano & foot-stomper), Dave Marty (band leader & lead plectrum banjo), Bill Rutan (2nd banjo), Bob Vanacek (rhythm banjo), and Bob Leivey (trumpet - laying down like all trumpet players do). {Bill Rutan plays a plectrum banjo tuned to tenor banjo tuning; odd, yet sweet. Since Bob Lasley could not hold his piano on his lap in this pose, he grabbed the nearest banjo; you see, there is justice in the world of the banjo}
Over the years . . .
Over the years, Dave has recorded countless times. To his credit there is one 33 1/3 LP, 5 audio tapes, and a CD showcasing his phenomenal talent. The LP and tapes are all out of print. However, Dave's first CD, produced in 2004, is doing great. It gives the listener a wonderful taste of Dave's virtuosity while "On The Job!" Yes, the title of the CD is "On The Job!" All tracks were recorded live at Marin Joe's with his partner of more than 30 years, Gary Neuman on piano, and Steve Hansen on bass.
This team is absolutely one of the best banjo/piano teams in entertainment today. Gary Neuman is a superlative ragtime piano player and partner. Hearing is believing, and once you hear these two guys play their music on their CD, you will be a fan for life. They are simply too much!!!
On The Job is available directly from Dave Marty. The cost is $18 plus $2 S&H. Remit the total ($20 per CD ordered) to Dave with either money order or cashiers check via US Postal Service to the address below:
Dave Marty
205 Rockport Way
Novato, CA 94947
Click on the E-mail link above for more information
(A larger image of the CD cover and liner notes can be viewed near the end of this page...)
Recording history . . .
The photo on the left below is Dave in full formal dress during a photo shoot for the cover of the "Slow Boat to China" album, shown in the center. The sketch on the right was drawn by VegaVox tenor banjo virtuoso Gregg Keeling depicting Dave on the streets of San Francisco during his Medicine Ball days.
In 1976, Dave and friends (known as the San Francisco Medicine Ball) recorded an album entitled, "Slow Boat To China." All banjo arrangements for the album were by Dave Marty. Eleven tracks were put down on this LP that include Limehouse Blues, Hard Hearted Hanna, Happy Feet, Fixing a Hole, Hey Good Lookin', Poor Butterfly, Caravan, San, Old Time Music, America The Beautiful, and, of course, the title song, On a Slow Boat To China. This album is a classic example of Dave's style at that time. It is worth a listen and the arrangements are revealing.
After the LP, Slow Boat To China hit the streets, Dave began a series of five audio tapes. They, for the most part, contained excerpts of his public performances at jamborees, banjoramas, various establishments, and other venues. The tapes range in audio quality from great to less-than-great mainly due to the venues where the recordings took place. Dave worked on re-releasing the Teddy Bear's Picnic tape (his 1st tape) on CD. That has been accomplished and here it is . . .
The list of tunes on this CD is
Donkey Serenade; (Medley for banjo): June Night,
Who, I Love You, Cuddle Up A Little Closer, I Cried For You; Johnny One Note;
12th Street Rag; One of Those Songs; Sweet Georgia Brown; More Than You Know;
The Teddy Bear's Picnic; Mammy's Song; Indian Love Call; Zing Went the Strings
of My Heart; King Chanticleer; 12th Street Rag; and, China Nights.
This recording
features Dave on lead banjo, Gary Neuman on piano, Abe van der Meulen on 2nd
banjo
(who also appeared on Dave's first LP, "Slow Boat to China"), and Janey Smith,
featured vocalist, and percussionist on China Nights. Every song is done
wonderfully and this is going to be a fabulous CD when it is released. The
entire collection is being re-engineered to improve the audio quality.
CD Cover, Liner Notes, & Excerpts:
Click on the song you would like to hear. A 40-second excerpt of Dave's wonderful style will play . . .
SAN ANTONIO ROSE DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME
BREEZIN' ALONG WITH THE BREEZE SHINE
Items of Interest (Perhaps)
When Dave was first starting out with his music, he began on the ukulele. When he found a copy of this wonderful book, the world of music opened up for him. In case you cannot make out the persons involved in this production of this book, they are Roy Smeck and Harry Reser.
Coincidentally, Ray Miller found the same book at the same music store in San Francisco in the same year. Both Dave and Ray began their musical training in the same way. Although, Dave and Ray did not meet or become friends until 1998, their initial development as solo players in the 1950's paralleled for about 5-years after which Dave progressed with music and Ray progressed with other interests (but always keeping an interest in performing)..
Ray continues to play with a renewed interest because of his ongoing connection with Mr. Smoothe - Dave Marty. There is a mutual respect between these two guys which has developed into a lasting friendship.
(This
picture is of the first ever meeting of EBG in Novato at Dave's home.)
The Electric Banjo Gang, led by Omni Present Wizard. The Wiz convenes the gang periodically, the last time being in Boise ID, June 2005. The Wiz took the form of Miyoko Onishi, as seen by the picture of her and Dave at a jam session in Idaho one morning. What fun, eh????
The Electric Banjo Gang - Ray (the Wiz), Abe, Dave, Keith Miyoko (the Wiz) with Dave
Copyright 2009©R.Miller (TekEd of Boise)
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