DB & the Soho Nine-Six is the highly anticipated self-titled debut of American bassist David Barber, slated for global release on January 26, 2024. Drawing inspiration from jazz, rock, funk, and more, this album is packed with deep grooves, tight arrangements, and vivid, memorable melodies that grab you like a captivating novel, leaving you eager to discover the next musical chapter.
About David Barber
DB & the Soho Nine-Six is American bassist David Barber’s self-titled debut of his long-awaited instrumental fusion project.
Born in Oakland, California and raised in what was then, the small Bay Area town of Walnut Creek, piano lessons stimulated his first interest in music. By the age of eight, it was a fascination with the saxophone that exposed him to the world of jazz and instrumental music. David actively participated in both jazz and symphonic bands through high school, and in his senior year, sat first chair in the California All-State Honor Band.
When David was 16, a peculiar twist of fate put a bass guitar in his hands for the first time. Due to an excess of saxophonists in the music program, and the absence of a bass player for the jazz ensemble, David’s teacher asked him to learn the bass guitar over one summer to be ready to play starting his Junior year. Embracing this challenge, he picked up the bass and quickly became proficient, immersing himself in the world of bass.
David grew up in a time of extraordinary musicianship in all genres of music. He was strongly influenced by legendary bassists Sting, John Patitucci, Curt Smith, Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn, Muzz Skillings, Marcus Miller, Stanley Clark, and Victor Wooten, to name a few.
While attending the University of California at Santa Barbara, David and Surfdog Recording Artist Jeremy Kay met and joined forces, becoming a fixture in the Santa Barbara and California Coastal music scene. Their music found its way into popular television shows such as MTV's 'Real World’, Boston Legal, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Smallville, and most notably, the single "Have it All" was featured on the Scrubs soundtrack. David and Jeremy toured nationally opening for Crosby, Stills, and Nash as well as Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, and also secured openers for Pat Benatar, Joan Osborne, and The Bangles.
During that time, the music scene in Santa Barbara thrived with exceptional talent, giving rise to renowned bands such as Toad the Wet Sprocket, Dishwalla, Summercamp, and Ugly Kid Joe. This vibrant scene revolved around shared rehearsal spaces where musicians from diverse bands and genres, including David and Jeremy, came together, collaborating, jamming, and frequently venturing into side projects spanning a wide range of musical styles.
Among the bands that emerged from this eclectic music scene was Common Ground, a blend of rock, jazz, and funk, among many other styles. The band featured David on bass, guitarist Daniel Zimmerman (Luis Munoz, Teka, and Jay Ferguson), percussionist Kevin Winard (Sergio Mendez, Tom Scott), saxophonist Justin Claveria (Kenny Loggins, The Nate Birkey Jazz Quintet), and drummer Bucket Baker (Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, and Macy Gray).
Showcasing music composed by David Barber and Daniel Zimmerman, Common Ground was a fixture at the SOhO Jazz Club on State Street in Santa Barbara, captivating standing-room-only audiences with their performances. The band won the title of Santa Barbara's Best Band in 1996.
In 2022, David found an old picture of Common Ground, taken by legendary jazz photographer, William Claxton, and posted it to social media, bringing him back in touch with several members of the band. Plans to try and organize a reunion were discussed, however, due to conflicting schedules and prior commitments, it just wasn’t in the cards. Not to be deterred, David’s passion for that music has been reignited and inspired him to craft new compositions as well as reimagine some of his original material.
The culmination of this artistic journey is the self-titled album "DB & the Soho Nine-Six.”
