Dave Mathews

Critics over the years have been surprised by the versatility and passion of the Dave Matthews Band. Best known to the world as a group of virtuosi instrumentalists drawing inspiration from several sources, the group’s unique, highly-developed sound has led them to tremendous success on the record charts, on concert tours and in the hearts of their audience. To wide-open, rambling rhythms and looping melodies that recall Phil Lesh, the Dave Matthews Band has added their own sensibility that turns their relatively straightforward rock arrangements into something new.

Despite the American flavor behind most of their music, Dave Matthews himself comes to the group by way of South Africa—which may explain the presence of time signatures and beats that are decidedly un rock ‘n roll. Born January 9, 1967 Matthews possesses and trains a rich, emotive voice that warmly fills out the corners on stereos around the world. When the 1996 album Crash hit stores, it may well have been Matthew’s passionate handling of the high notes on the title track that propelled the group forward from college campus favorite to national superstars.

But the college crowd has been very good to the Dave Matthews Band since their formation in the early 1990’s. A journeyman’s touring schedule saw the Dave Matthews band rocking frat houses coast to coast until they started playing on larger stages to broader audiences. While the band’s later albums have split the critics as well as the fans, audiences continue to flock to one of the planet’s best live shows. An atypical Dave Matthews-Tim Reynolds performance on Austin City Limits surprised audiences by revealing a mature performer surprisingly well steeped in folk-country history.

The accompanying Some Devil won great acclaim and led to a tour with Phish front man Trey Anastasio and Tim Reynolds (who can play anything with strings). The album’s single also netted Matthews a Grammy.