Dave Clark

Dave received a BM in music education and a MM in jazz performance from the University of Louisville in Kentucky, where he currently serves as Director of the Jazz Studies program and Associate Professor of Jazz Saxophone. Dave has also served on the faculty of Jamey Aebersold's Summer Jazz Camps. In addition, Dave serves as the Executive Director and Education Director of the Louisville Jazz Initiative (LJI), a non-profit inter-generational coalition of musicians and educators committed to the authentic teaching and performing of jazz; that is, in a way that preserves the connection between the art form and its cultural and historical context, highlights the inherent value of each individual’s experience and expression, and empowers its participants to advocate for social and racial justice. Dave is currently an ABD, PhD doctoral candidate in Higher Education Leadership at Bellarmine University's Annsley Frazier Thornton's School of Education. His doctoral studies center on utilizing music education as a conduit to understanding social justice issues. Dave has performed with such diverse artists as Benny Golson, Clark Terry, Randy Brecker, Stanley Turrentine, James Moody, Christian McBride, Kevin Mahogany, Harry Pickens, Nancy Wilson, Jack Harlow, Keke Wyatt, Miles Griffith, Tammy McCann, Marcus Johnson, the Louisville Orchestra, the Dells, and Delfeayo Marsalis. Dave has performed at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy, and the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Montreaux, Switzerland. He has also performed as part of a good will tour and educational exchange program in Barbados. Dave also played in the sax section with the Louisville Orchestra featuring pianist Yuja Wang on the Grammy-winning work, The American Project.