Dave Pike

Throughout his career, vibraphonist Dave Pike sustained a steady presence without attracting widespread recognition. Beginning as a drummer, he developed his vibraphone technique entirely on his own. In 1954 he relocated with his family to Los Angeles, where he performed alongside Curtis Counce, Harold Land, Elmo Hope, Dexter Gordon, Carl Perkins, and Paul Bley, among others. After settling in New York in 1960, Pike added amplification to his instrument. He joined Herbie Mann’s touring ensemble from 1961 to 1964, lived in Germany between 1968 and 1973 while recording with the Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland big band, and later returned to Los Angeles, working locally and documenting sessions for Timeless and Criss Cross.