David

David “Dbass” Holder

April 25^th 1983

I was raised in Wyandanch NY by my mother Rhonda and have been passionate about music from before I was given piano lessons at 5 yrs old.  My family is a major part of my musical foundations in gospel, soul, hip hop and classical music. My most influential artists include Stevie Wonder, Kirk Franklin, Prince, Ella Fitzgerald, Earth Wind and Fire, Michael Jackson; bass players include Abraham Laboriel, James Jammerson, Jaco Pastorious, Victor Wooten and John Patittucci. I have been involved in the performing arts since I was 6 years old at Upper Room Christian School, playing the drums, piano, percussion and dancing.  I was inspired to play the bass when I heard Mr. Dono, my teacher, playing a funky slapping and popping bass line. He gave me a few lessons and allowed me to borrow his bass so I could learn songs for the school band. One month after borrowing the bass I was in the school band, a year later I was in the youth band where I met Chrisette Michele, and  then the church band, all at Upper Room World Center. Needless to say I found my passion and was inspired to change my pursuit of engineering to music in my senior year of high shcool. I decided on Five Towns College in 2001 after being excepted to Berklee College of Music with a $16,000 scholarship.  I started playing new genres in the class ensembles, lessons, recording projects and in jamming. I joined an R&B band in 2002 and we called ourselves ‘Focus’. In that band I co-wrote, sang  and experienced playing, recording, opening for and/or being musical director for artists like Wyclef, Tank, Lil G,  Blu Cantrel, Lyfe Jennings, Chrisette Michele and Alicia Keys. During my 11 year career I have played for many underground artists and bands like Genessa, Treazure, Sound Hound, Muthawit Orchestra and Jac n Jill. Professionally I was playing for 7 years when I joined The Senate in 2007 and we’ve been creating and performing for 4 years with a great balance of character, talent, passion and creativity.

Recording on Alicia Keys  “Karma” remix

Playing for Def Jam recording artist Chrisette Michelle

Touring for Sony recording artist Lyfe Jennings, promoted to Band Director when he opened for John Legend’s “Get Lifted” tour summer of 2005.

Playing with Long Island Philharmonic at Upper Room World Center