DAVID FRAZIER In the late 50’s David Frazier grew up in North Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His mother loved music and exposed him to albums by jazz musicians such as Benny Goodman, Woody Herman and Henry Mancini. Other albums such as Bossa Nova and other Latin music shared the record collection along with some rare albums by Ray Charles & Jimmy Whitherspoon offering some forgotten blues material from the day. David began his musical journey at the age of 12 as a self-taught musician learning to play guitar and bass from Mel Bay’s “How to Play Guitar” books. Then at age 14 he purchased a Framus Classical guitar from a friend and started learning to play finger picking style. This gifted guitarist has evolved through a lifelong musical journey of self-discovery and self-study to capture the spirit of heartfelt emotion of the jazz fusion era of the '70s. Inspired by the fire of Carlos Santana, the smooth warmth of George Benson and the sophisticated chord melody stylings of Joe Pass, help him developed an original style and created a recipe for smooth and silky jazz seasoned with just the right blend of sultry blues and seductive grooves. The signature style of Louisiana contemporary jazz guitarist, David Frazier, which he coined as "Jazz Infused Rhythm & Groove,” was his first regional CD release in 1996. He combined tasty improvisational jazz with spicy funk grooves, soulful blues licks and passionate Latin rhythms to serve up a fresh and vibrant new sound that's distinctively different. The CD featured “Blues for Joe” which he composed and dedicated in memory of the great jazz guitarist Joe Pass. In 1997 Frazier was offered the opportunity to open for renown saxophonist, Boots Randolph at the 1997 "Chet Atkins Musician Days,” Frazier went on to open for Russ Freeman’s Rippingtons' at the New Orleans House of Blues. Then in 2000 Frazier performed as a featured opening act for Lee Ritenour, Ernie Watts, and the Legendary, Lionel Hampton, at "Chet Atkins Musician Days" in Nashville. Frazier was also a featured performer with renowned musicians Rob McGaha, Tommy Emmanuel and Dave Pomeroy for “World Music Night” at the historic Belcourt Theater. In 1998 Frazier signed with Cat's Paw Records of New York, part of the Malaco Jazz division of the Malaco Music Group. "David Frazier, A Touch of Blues" is the artist's debut national release. This eclectic collection offers original compositions by the artist and his own innovative arrangements of some popular favorites. “This multifaceted guitarist hints at a soul rich in blues history," comments writer, Jonathan Widran, in a review in "JAZZIZ" magazine. In 2007 Frazier produced and released a guitar/vocal duo CD project, Frazier-Layne “Guitare & Chanteuse,” featuring Heather Layne, with an emphasis towards a more relaxing laid back coffee house approach to jazz standards and pop favorites. Frazier’s recent 2020 release “Metro Groove,” an EP of his original compositions, brings him back to his roots in fusion flavored jazz. Also of note, later in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, Frazier co-wrote, directed and produced a single and music video entitled “Just One More Smile” by the Frazier-Hebert Duo with fellow NSAI songwriter Barry Hebert, a Louisiana based songwriting team that demonstrated a crossover blending of Jazz and Americana music. Active Member of: NSAI Nashville, TN & Baton Rouge, LA Chapter Americana Music Association