The David Cummings Trio

David Cummings Trio - First Flight

My love of great singers and great songs began in 1960, at the age of 11. That’s when I was fortunate enough to watch and hear “live” performances by Jackie Wilson, Chuck Jackson, Ray Charles, the Isley Brothers and more soon-to-be legends. What a primary musical education that was!
It was during the summer of 1964, at the impressionable age of 15, that I first touched and played a guitar. A love affair with an instrument began that continues to this day. A year later I turned professional and continued to learn as I traveled and worked. My love of jazz standards and show tunes made it imperative that I learn to read music, so I did.
Forty years later, my family and I had been residents of the Austin, Tex. area for many years. While I was quite successful as the guitarist for the Texas dancehall band, People’s Choice and was an established music teacher, the great songs of the past continued to haunt me.
I called my neighbor, local singing sensation David Cummings, who shares my love of great songs from all eras. His rich baritone, sense of swing and musical curiosity allowed us to re-interpret jazz standards, ballads, show tunes, bossa nova and R&B. We began to build a repertoire and create arrangements of our favorite tunes, songs that would show off David’s great voice.
We needed a third partner in our musical quest and I thought it should be a cellist. Luck being on our side, we soon met and joined forces with Frank Kammerdiener, a very talented musician. He is a most dedicated and versatile player, whether holding down the low end or bowing a beautiful solo, with a long list of accomplishments to his credit. His 4 string and 5 string, acoustic and electric cellos really add a new twist to these timeless songs.
The David Cummings Trio ( AKA DC3 ) was thus formed.
A year of performances followed: nightclubs, restaurants, weddings, parties and festivals. We played as a trio, sometimes as a quartet with drums. On this recording, our “First Flight”, we are joined by two excellent friends.
Drummer and percussionist, Kevin Hall is a recipient of the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award and the National Association of Jazz Educators Award. His great versatility and experience have yielded tours with Archie Bell, Coco Montoya, Hal Ketchum and many more. He was a great asset to these recordings.
Vocalist Barbara Calderaro is a founding member of “The Divine Divas”, which is an accurate description of her. She is also a member of the musical show group “AKA” and a frequent guest performer with DC3. Her harmonies and duet with David on “I Get A Kick” were a great addition to our “First Flight”.
We’re glad you came along for the ride and we hope you have as much fun listening to these recordings as we had making them. Whether cruising an expanse of open road, or relaxing at home with a glass of wine or a martini; whether thinking about the one you love or dreaming about the one you lost, let David Cummings and company take you away.
Howard T. Levine - Austin, TX. 2006
(512) 266 - 2265 • 14900 Running Deer Trail - Austin, TX **ZipCODE**