Dave was born into a music loving family. “My great-grandfather was an incredible saxophone player from what I hear. My parents used to play Grover Washington Jr. and Stevie Wonder in my crib when I was a baby so that the music would always be around me.” As a young child Dave had a knack for melody and began playing the saxophone at age 9. By the time he was 12, older jazz musicians were mentoring him and letting him sit in and play at the clubs. “I was the only lil’ kid in the club. My dad would take me and I would play with the older guys. It was usually a week night, so I’d have to get up and go to school the next day.”
Staying involved in music kept him out of a lot of the traps that many of his friends fell into. He played sports, but music was always his first priority. This dedication earned him a vocal music scholarship to Central State University. “Central taught me how tone, intonation and chord structure were used to create different feelings and emotion in song. I didn’t know that I would be using those skills to develop my own sound. I definitely wouldn’t be the vocalist or musician I am today without that experience.” While at CSU, Dave was able to tour the US, as well as England and France. He attained his undergraduate degree equipped with the knowledge that there was far more in this world to see and music could be the vehicle to get him there.
Dave began writing music while in college, but really began dedicating himself to the craft upon his graduation. He released a street album entitled, “Show You,” in 2005 and received a great response from the people and he began building a fan base as a solo vocal artist. He is currently writing for a national production company, other artists in the state of Ohio, as well as working on his current projects. His first single, “See U Move” featuring P Da Profit (from GTC), has become an underground hit. This was followed by the release of his second single, “FaSho” which is gaining momentum and is currently featured on the DJ Finesse "Xclusive R&B Vol. 24" mixtape. Dave is also the recent winner of an Ohio Hip Hop Award for Best Male Vocalist and his album, “Declaration” is forthcoming in 2011. He performs regularly as a vocalist and saxophonist in Ohio with the group Premium Blend, a very popular R&B/jazz/hip-hop group in the Dayton area. Dave has performed with the likes of Migel, Eric Roberson, Dwele, Chico DeBarge, The Last Poets, Lupe Fiasco, Lyfe Jennings, Natalie Stewart (formerly of Floetry), and Daron Jones (formerly of R&B group 112) both with Premium Blend and individually. He has also been nominated for the 2011 Ohio Hip Hop Awards in the categories of Best Male Vocalist, Single of the Year (See U Move), and Best Live Performance.
“When you realize what your true purpose is in life, it becomes your mission to achieve it,” says Dave. There is no doubt that Dave Speed will do just that!
Dave Speed See You Move
http://hulkshare.com/cgwnyzt187w1
@davespeedmusic
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