Essay, Research Paper: Dave Matthews

Dave Matthews

The Dave Matthews Band has been a musical power house for years. They have meshed together almost every type of music together to create their extremely unique sounds and attractiveness towards their music. Dave Matthews, lead singer and guitarist has put together a band that no one will ever be able to create again. Dave picked four extremely talented and unique sounding men to join his band and together they have created some amazing music. Joining Dave in the band is Stefan Lessard on bass, Boyd Tinsley on violin, Leroi Moore on saxophone and one of the best drummers in the world, Carter Beauford. Together these men will one day leave behind a similar reputation as one of the most respected bands of all times such as The Doors, Led Zeppelin or Jimi Hendrix.
Dave Matthews has always been into music. He grew up in South Africa where he became very interested in the guitar, especially African tribal music. He says, “ I love African pop and jazz, but I’ve never thought of what I do in those terms. “ He says, “ I”ve only written one song that sounds African at all to me and that's ‘Proudest Monkey’ [Crash], which has a circular structure that I associate with African music. But theirs lots of great, very inventive and very energetic music from there, and if anyone hears it in what I do, great”
Dave has a very unique guitar style that many take notice of. “ Matthews guitar lines are full of leaps and wide leaps and unexpected syncopations, cross times against Stefan Lessard’s bass, and Carter Beauford’s drums, “ says John Parcekes of the New York times. Along with Dave’s guitar work, he has an extremely unique voice, that is an instrument of its own and has been highly thought of by the best out there.
The Dave Matthews Band members are able to create such harmony within their instruments but still remain to keep each instrument very distinct style solo. Their determination, dedication and musical genius will allow the band and help them progress into the twenty-first century as one of the biggest bands of all time. The songs played on the radio such as ‘Crash Into Me’ or ‘Ants Marching’ will become classics in the eyes of the next generation such as Led Zeppelins’ Stair Way to Heaven is seen through the eyes of teenagers today or young adults. Without all the band members the band could have never gotten this far, each individual adds such talent and grace to the music. Especially Dave Matthews, his love for the music just makes it get better and better. The band has always been innovated, musically talented and will remain legends for time to come.


Word Count: 460