BIO
BIOGRAPHY
David Rollins - Guitarist, Guitar Teacher, Composer.
I began to play the guitar at the age of ten and the passion for music and a fascination with the seemingly endless possibilities of the guitar has remained with me ever since. I have now played for 50 years and have taught professionally for 30 years. I have performed as a solo artist, in duos and many bands in differing styles of music as well as being a hired session musician and composer.
My initial influences were many and varied. I consider myself fortunate to have grown up at a time when virtuoso playing was the order of the day. Yes guitarist Steve Howe was particularly influential in my early years, combining rock with elements of classical and jazz.
If I were to list all the great musicians that have influenced me it would probably fill up several web pages, suffice to say I have drawn huge inspiration from so many great artists in all styles of music but especially modern jazz guitar players and in particular John Scofield.
I supported Simple Minds at the Marquee in 1979.
I was a signed artist in the 80's to Stiff Records and MCA America with pop/rock band Passion Puppets.
We had a worldwide album release which was produced by Pete Walsh ( Simple Minds, Stevie Wonder).
and Roger Bechirien (Elvis Costello,TheJam, Squeeze, Nick Lowe, Carlene Carter).
Major uk support tours with Paul Young and The Psychedelic Furs.
My initial influences were many and varied. I consider myself fortunate to have grown up at a time when virtuoso playing was the order of the day. Yes guitarist Steve Howe was particularly influential in my early years, combining rock with elements of classical and jazz.
If I were to list all the great musicians that have influenced me it would probably fill up several web pages, suffice to say I have drawn huge inspiration from so many great artists in all styles of music but especially modern jazz guitar players and in particular John Scofield.
I supported Simple Minds at the Marquee in 1979.
I was a signed artist in the 80's to Stiff Records and MCA America with pop/rock band Passion Puppets.
We had a worldwide album release which was produced by Pete Walsh ( Simple Minds, Stevie Wonder).
and Roger Bechirien (Elvis Costello,TheJam, Squeeze, Nick Lowe, Carlene Carter).
Major uk support tours with Paul Young and The Psychedelic Furs.
After Passion Puppets I went on to secure a production deal with Roger Bechirien.
In 1988 I had the pleasure of working with South African musician Jonas Gwangwa and performing with him at the Wembley Stadium Nelson Mandela Concert.
I began giving private guitar lessons in 1990 and I became a member of The Registry of Guitar Tutors. I also did some theatre shows and tours and continued to develop as a musician. I love the creativity of studio work and numerous session guitar stints at this point gave me the opportunity to work with artists of all kinds.
In the late 90`s I had the opportunity to revisit the music of my youth and played lead guitar for a stunning progressive rock band tribute by the name of Kudos. This led on to become Genesis Tribute band G2, surely the best of them out there. I also had a short stint with Yes tribute band Fragile. Initially it was thrilling to play accurate renditions of some of my favourite pieces of music of all time but after a while I grew tired of not being able to improvise and put my own identity into my live performances which is something of an essential for me so I moved on.
At this point I concentrated on developing my teaching skills with private students as well as teaching for schools and running a guitar course at Lewisham College. I also composed my own original music in modern jazz which has attracted acclaim from many eminant musicians and led to a collaboration with top New York drummer John Favicchia.
In 2007 I became a signed composer for production music companies Focus Music and Artful composing music in many styles for TV and Film industries. My music has been used in USA, Hong Kong, Czech Rebublic, Romania, Russia and Japan.
In 1988 I had the pleasure of working with South African musician Jonas Gwangwa and performing with him at the Wembley Stadium Nelson Mandela Concert.
I began giving private guitar lessons in 1990 and I became a member of The Registry of Guitar Tutors. I also did some theatre shows and tours and continued to develop as a musician. I love the creativity of studio work and numerous session guitar stints at this point gave me the opportunity to work with artists of all kinds.
In the late 90`s I had the opportunity to revisit the music of my youth and played lead guitar for a stunning progressive rock band tribute by the name of Kudos. This led on to become Genesis Tribute band G2, surely the best of them out there. I also had a short stint with Yes tribute band Fragile. Initially it was thrilling to play accurate renditions of some of my favourite pieces of music of all time but after a while I grew tired of not being able to improvise and put my own identity into my live performances which is something of an essential for me so I moved on.
At this point I concentrated on developing my teaching skills with private students as well as teaching for schools and running a guitar course at Lewisham College. I also composed my own original music in modern jazz which has attracted acclaim from many eminant musicians and led to a collaboration with top New York drummer John Favicchia.
In 2007 I became a signed composer for production music companies Focus Music and Artful composing music in many styles for TV and Film industries. My music has been used in USA, Hong Kong, Czech Rebublic, Romania, Russia and Japan.
Recent session work has included recording guitars for two albums by singer-songwriter Kevin Jones
and for the latest album 'Over Dark Apples' by Claire Hamill.
I've also been performing as a solo guitarist. Teaching the guitar continues to be a main passion in my life. It gives me no end of pleasure to see my students progress and achieve their goals while giving me the opportunity to involve myself in music everyday.
