Access the Dave Matthews Band

July 09, 2012

"What is this?" That’s what I thought or said out loud the first time I saw the Dave Matthews Band. They were performing "Ant’s Marching" live on late night TV.

Dave was doing some funky dance where the heels of his feet were pulsing in and out. There was a guy thumping the bass guitar in a definite grove, the drummer was on point with locks flying about, a smooth saxophone in the middle of the chaos, and then another guy with dreadlocks rockin' a fiddle. Unbelievable! I had never seen anything quite like this. Infectious, rollicking, jazzy, fun, stone groove.

The DMB started in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. Dave wanted to record some songs he had written, and enlisted jazz musicians Carter Beuford (drums) and Leroi Moore (saxophone) to help. Joining them was a 16 year old bass prodigy by the name of Stefan Lessard and classically trained violinist Boyd Tinsley. Keyboardist Peter Griesar joined the group briefly, but left after a couple of years.

DMB hit the college circuit and garnered fame by allowing the crowds to tape record their performances for personal use. By 1995, the DMB was internationally recognized and had a four time platinum selling CD, Under the Table and Dreaming.

In 2008, the band lost a founding member. Leroi Moore passed away due to complications from an accident; that smooth sax will never be replaced. The band plays on without his great presence.

Access DMB’s long list of materials today. You won’t be disappointed.

Mike T.
South Independence Branch