Dave Strumfeld Group

Dave Strumfeld Group's original music is eclectic, with catchy melodies and clever, poetic lyrics. Their musical chemistry shines on stage and on records. Each member contributes his individual touch to yield a highly energizing, groovy sound. The group's feel-good music, tinged with innocent nostalgia, is a welcome respite from a soundscape permeated by teenage angst.

Dave Strumfeld is a sophomore at SUNY Purchase's music school, majoring in studio composition, where he sings in the University's oldest performing Acapella group. He has been writing songs prolifically since age six, and has amazed audiences with his charm and stage presence. He has been influenced by the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, Aztec Two Step, The Kinks, Steely Dan, Wilco, Badly Drawn Boy, Eliott Smith, Phish, and years of Jazz Ensemble.

Ryan Chase is currently in the undergraduate composition program at the Mannes College of Music studying under Keith Fitch. He has served the musical director of the summer youth theatre at Siena College for the last two years, and will be returning to California to attend the CSM music festival for the second time this summer. His influences include Ben Folds, Billy Joel, Charles Ives, and Kenny Werner.

Dan Galliher studies at Crane School of Music, a part of SUNY Potsdam; he is a double major in music education and percussion performance, and is simultaneously pursuing a jazz studies concentration. He has served as Musical Director for the Clarkson Theatre Company and will be Musical Director for this summer's Colonie Youth Theatre production. His drumming style is influenced by Dave Matthews Band, Pat Metheny Group, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Elton John, and Billy Joel.

Mike Angstadt, a sophomore, is the lead trombonist in Hartwick College's Jazz Ensemble. He was selected for the Skidmore Jazz Institute (one of roughly fifty musicians chosen internationally), and was a featured soloist with New York’s All-State Instrumental Jazz Ensemble. He accredits much of his knowledge and ability to the many jazz artists and composers he has been privileged to study with. These include: Frank Mantooth, Jim Snidero, Todd Coolman, John LaBarbera, and Curtis Fuller (trombonist for Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and John Coltrane). He draws heavily upon his jazz background when playing bass.

Greg Danis is a freshman at SUNY Fredonia where he studies Music Education with a minor in Jazz Studies. He has played with talents such as Billy Taylor and Winard Harper. His influences include Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderly, Jim Snidero, Mark Beubriand, Phil Woods, Eric Alexander, Dick Oates, Sonny Rollins, Count Basie, Joshua Redman, Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis, Nick Brignola, Stan Getz, Vincent Herring, The Brecker Bros, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, Bella Fleck, Dave Matthews, OAR Guster, Third Eye Blind, Eve 6, his parents, mean people, ex girlfriends, and his metronome.

Patrick McGrail has been playing saxophone since elementary school, and guitar since he was 12. He currently plays the guitar in the Jazz Ensemble at his highschool, and saxophone in the wind ensemble. His main influences are jazz greats such as wes montgomery, Pat Metheny, Django Reinhardt, and Russel Malone, among others.