Dave Bass Trio Nuevo - Jazz at the Center

Pianist, composer and lyricist, Dave Bass began piano lessons at age seven, and after high school, played in bands opening for Captain Beefheart and Alice Cooper. Accepted at Berklee College of Music, he left to study piano with Madame Chaloff and composition with George Russell. Then, as Brenda Lee’s pianist, he toured the world.

In San Francisco he played with friends like Bobby McFerrin and Babatunde. Fracturing his wrist and unable to play, Bass enrolled at the University of California, graduating Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude. He went on to UCLA School of Law, and eventually a Deputy Attorney General in California.

In 2005, Bass discovered he could play again and released his first album, Gone, in 2010, featuring Ernie Watts and Mary Stalling. It hit #2 on JazzWeek. His second album, NYC Sessions, featured Phil Woods. Downbeat awarded it 4 stars. His third album, No Boundaries, featured Ted Nash and Carlos Henriquez.

In 2021, Bass focused on the trio, releasing five trio albums. As of July 2026, his 5 trio albums had several million plays.

At the Center

The Center for Musical Arts proudly presents our "at the Center" concert series, where our goal is to give Sacramento musicians the event space they deserve. Music school by day, concert venue by night—our listening room features a stage, baby grand piano, and an intimate 30-seat capacity.