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Rob Dixon’s New Album Naptown Soul With Dave Stryker

ByJoe Barth

JGT’s Joe Barth talks with guitarist Dave Stryker about Rob Dixon’s new album, Naptown.

Photo by Chris Drukker

Dave Stryker is one of the swingiest guitarists today.  He spent years with saxophonist Stanley Turrentine’s band as well as organist Brother Jack McDuff.  On the new album Naptown Soul, Dave joins saxophonist Rob Dixon as guitarist and co-producer.  I asked Dave about recording this product.

JB:  Born on the Great Plains, you have made the greater New York City area your home for many years.  Now, since joining the faculty at Indiana University and commuting, what have you grown to appreciate about the jazz history of Indianapolis? DS:  I retired from teaching at Indiana University 3 years ago after teaching there for 11 years. I played in Indianapolis many times over the years, often using Rob Dixon in my band. But going back to the years I played with Jack McDuff’s group in 1984-85, we used to play at the same club, which was called The Place To Start. So, I go back many years playing in Naptown. There is such an amazing history and legacy going back to Wes Montgomery and his brothers as well as Freddie Hubbard, JJ Johnson, David Baker, Slide Hampton, and many others.

JB:  “Sly Vibe” is a greasy opener by saxophonist Rob Dixon.  It sounds like a fun song to play on. I love your bluesy solo on it.

DS:  Thanks, Rob is such a great player and composer and has a really great feel, which I love and enjoy playing with. Having worked with the great Stanley Turrentine for over 10 years, I can really appreciate Rob’s soulful sound. I hope this new record Naptown Soul will get his name out there even more.

JB:  “Bumpin’ on Sunset” from Wes’ Tequila album, you double your octaves with Rob’s sax.  Was there a special memory moment for you as you recorded that song?

DS:  Rob and I wanted to celebrate Indianapolis’ great legacy, so we knew we had to include a couple of songs by the great Wes Montgomery. “Bumpin on Sunset” fit right into the pocket we were going for on this record.

JB:  “Walking In Rhythm,” written by Barney Perry, the guitar player for the Blackbyrds, was a big hit for them. How was this song chosen for the album?

DS:  Rob picked “Walking in Rhythm.” This brings back great memories for me as I remember playing it back in Omaha when it came out. It’s cool to be able to do an instrumental update featuring Rob’s great sax playing.

JB:  When Wes did “Naptown Blues,” it was with Oliver Nelson’s big band on the ‘Goin’ Out of My Head album.  I love the shuffle feel you guys give it.

DS:  Thanks. The band is great with Sam Fribush on organ and Richard “Sleepy” Floyd on drums. They really knew how to lock in on these grooves. What is amazing is that it was my first time meeting and playing with both of them in the studio! But we all speak the same language.

JB:  I love what you do with “I Want You,” which was a big hit for Marvin Gaye.  I especially like your solo on that cut.

DS:  Thanks. Rob really has a great sound on soprano sax as well, and anything by Marvin is cool with me.

JB:  You play often in your organ trio with Jared Gold and McClenty.  What do you appreciate about your rhythm section on this album, organist Sam Fribush and drummer “Sleepy” Richard Floyd?

DS:  Sam and “Sleepy” have their own unique sounds on their instruments, and it was a lot of fun to play with a different trio and play some different groove music with these cats. There is a serious pocket throughout.

JB:  The album ends with three tunes by Rob Dixon.  Talk about the musical relationship you have developed with Rob.

DS: I met Rob, as I mentioned, when I was out teaching at Indiana University and started using him on gigs when I played at the Jazz Kitchen and other places in the area. I also brought him to New York a few times to play with my trio at the Jazz Forum and Birdland. He is a super soulful player with a beautiful sound and is a great person, so we hooked up immediately. I hope everyone checks out this new album, Naptown Soul!

Joe Barth began playing guitar in high school. He stopped playing in his late twenties only to rediscover his love for jazz guitar in his mid-forties. He is an Associate Pastor at Snoqualmie Valley Alliance Church near Seattle. He plays and writes about jazz guitar as a hobby. Before entering the pastorate, Dr. Barth taught church music at Simpson University, Multnomah University, and Crafton Hills College. While serving as a music professor, he was also a music pastor in local churches. Dr. Barth is the author of Voices in Jazz Guitar: Great Performers Tell about Their Approach to Playing (Mel Bay) available at Amazon.com and elsewhere.

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