Jazz Musician, Band Leader. A vibist and innovative figure during the 1960s Jazz scene, he was among one of the earliest musicians to utilize an amplifier on the vibraphone. He will perhaps be best remembered for his work with jazz flutist Herbie Mann. Born in Detroit, his family relocated to California during Dave's high school years. He became inclined musically and first took up the drums, prior to moving on to the marimba. With an abundance of jazz talent in Los Angeles, Pike acquired experienced playing with such names as Dexter Gordon and Curtis Counce. After moving to New York City in 1960, his career blossomed when he joined Herbie Mann's group. Pike was prominently featured on Mann's album "The Family of Mann" (1961) and toured with him until embarking on his solo career in 1964. Influenced by the Latin Jazz scene, Pike recorded the album "Manhattan Latin" (1964). In 1966, he recorded the album "Jazz Jet Set" in which he played the marimba. The album was of note for a young keyboardist named Herbie Hancock who contributed the song "Blind Man, Blind Man." This was followed with "The Doors of Perception" (1969), "Got the Feelin' (1969) and the psychedelic sounding "Noisy Silence- Gentle Noise" (1969). He found further success in Europe during the late 1960s after forming his group The Dave Pike Set and returned to the United States during the early 1970s, where he settled in California. Pike recorded more than 20 albums during the course of his career. He remained an active performer until illness forced him to retire in 2010. He died of complications from emphysema.
Jazz Musician, Band Leader. A vibist and innovative figure during the 1960s Jazz scene, he was among one of the earliest musicians to utilize an amplifier on the vibraphone. He will perhaps be best remembered for his work with jazz flutist Herbie Mann. Born in Detroit, his family relocated to California during Dave's high school years. He became inclined musically and first took up the drums, prior to moving on to the marimba. With an abundance of jazz talent in Los Angeles, Pike acquired experienced playing with such names as Dexter Gordon and Curtis Counce. After moving to New York City in 1960, his career blossomed when he joined Herbie Mann's group. Pike was prominently featured on Mann's album "The Family of Mann" (1961) and toured with him until embarking on his solo career in 1964. Influenced by the Latin Jazz scene, Pike recorded the album "Manhattan Latin" (1964). In 1966, he recorded the album "Jazz Jet Set" in which he played the marimba. The album was of note for a young keyboardist named Herbie Hancock who contributed the song "Blind Man, Blind Man." This was followed with "The Doors of Perception" (1969), "Got the Feelin' (1969) and the psychedelic sounding "Noisy Silence- Gentle Noise" (1969). He found further success in Europe during the late 1960s after forming his group The Dave Pike Set and returned to the United States during the early 1970s, where he settled in California. Pike recorded more than 20 albums during the course of his career. He remained an active performer until illness forced him to retire in 2010. He died of complications from emphysema.
Bio by: C.S.
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