Dave Young

2013 TMA149 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

Dave Young joined the Toronto Musicians’ Association in 1967, one of the rare bassists who is equally at ease swinging a bow or walking in a jazz rhythm section. He has been a member of the Edmonton Symphony, the Hamilton Philharmonic, and, in his home town, the Winnipeg Symphony.

At the same time, Dave has been a first call “go to” jazz bass player since he arrived in Toronto, where he has gained a reputation as not only a great bassist but as a joy to work with. Highlights of his illustrious career include his work from 1961 to 1966 with Lenny Breau, and of course his 35-year association with Oscar Peterson, as well as performances with Clark Terry, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Zoot Simms, Oliver Jones, Kenny Burrell, Cedar Walton, Hank Jones, Nat Adderly, Peter Appleyard, Joe Williams, Gary Burton, Barney Kessell, Ed Bickert, Ranee Lee, Marcus Belgrave, Don Thompson, Kenny Burrell, and James Moody.

Dave has also recorded as a leader, including We Three with Phil Dwyer and Michele Lambert, Tale of the Fingers with special guest Cedar Walton, Mainly Mingus, and, with co-leader Phil Dwyer, Fables and Dreams, which won a JUNO Award as Best Mainstream Jazz Album in 1994. Two by Two — Volumes 1 & 2 (1995 & 96) featured Dave in duet performances with jazz legends Oscar Peterson, Cedar Walton, John Hicks, Mulgrew Miller, Tommy Flanagan, Ellis Marsalis, Barry Harris, Kenny Barron, Renee Rosnes, Cyrus Chestnut, and Oliver Jones. His most recent CDs are Mean What You Say, released in 2009, and the JUNO-nominated Octet Volume One (2012) with the Dave Young/Terry Promane Octet.

As a teacher, for many years Dave has been a member of the Faculty of Music at The University of Toronto. As a classical player, he regularly tours with clarinetist James Campbell and pianist Gene Di Novi. For many years, he has been an ongoing feature in both classical and jazz groups at the annual Festival of the Sound in Parry Sound, Ontario

Dave was recently named a Member of the Order of Canada — our country’s highest civilian honour. Beyond the long list of accolades and acknowledgements, Dave is known for his pragmatic, realistic view of the music business, always ready to adapt, and to “put the music first.”
When not in the studio or on the stage, you will often find Dave Young playing a duo or some such with guitar or piano, in a small venue you might have discovered by accident, playing for the sheer enjoyment of it, surrounded by a small jazz-loving audience.

Putting the music first.

The Toronto Musicians’ Association is delighted to recognize Dave Young with our Lifetime Achievement Award.