Most of my gigs these days are as the guitarist for Ariana Gillis
David Gillis is building a reputation as a guitarist, a sideman and an award-winning songwriter.
Speaking of sides... On the side of song writing, David is the recipient of the Colleen Peterson Song-writing Award. Listeners are drawn in by his honest yet skewed perspective on story telling, his sometimes bizarre lyrics and always engaging melodic hooks. He writes ballads that will conjure up emotions that literally has the audience in tears, his next song may include a light hearted turn of the century tin-pan- alley ukulele number that transports you into a nostalgic movie.
When you listen to David play guitar you never know what he is going to do next. His arrangements and impromtu solo style are just as new to him as they are to the audience. His sizzling and creative instrumental version of "Spiderman" has people smiling while the level of technique is down-right insane. His poetic version of "Downtown" will twist and turn taking you on an impressionistic journey. With styles ranging from earthy folk to postbop jazz, his music has been recognized by Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine. David has played several times as a main stage performer at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society, won the Gamble Rogers Fingerstyle Guitar competition and has placed "Top Five" in the International Fingerstyle Guitar competition, Winfield, Kansas 2007.
With over 160 gigs filling his calandar this year, David is kept very busy performing solo or touring with his talented family.
Credits
Recipient of the Colleen Peterson Songwriting award for the song, “A Mouses Crumb”
Producer of Ariana Gillis’ debut CD – "To Make It Make Sense" - which received a 2009 Canadian Folk Award
Placed "1st" in the Gamble Rogers Fingerstyle Guitar
competition, St. Augustine Florida, 2001Placed "Top Five" in the International Fingerstyle Guitar
competition, Winfield, Kansas 2007His instrumental song “She’s So Fey” earned a spot
in the internationally distributed Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine — July 2003 issueInvited several times as a main stage performer at the
Chet Atkins Appreciation Society, 2003, 2004 & 2006Official endorser of Beneteau & Republic Guitars, AER Amplification, LR Baggs Pickups, Elixer guitar strings, Aquila ukulele strings and T-Rex effects.“
David also proudly plays a Yanuziello electric guitar and a Clark Beaufort Reverb tube amp.
"A recording dripping with verve and melody,
a variety of influences, compelling original tunes
and sparklingly clean production.”
Dan McAvinchey – Guitar Nine Records
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