Biography
Having honed his craft across jazz, pop, and big-band drumming, Dave Tull first built a reputation as a sought-after session and road musician before stepping forward as a recording artist who sings and performs his own witty, lyrically astute originals. His drumming career took shape in the 1980s, leading to engagements with such prominent figures as Barbra Streisand, Maynard Ferguson, and Michael Bublé. Fronting his own trio, he divides his focus between the drums and vocals, a balance first documented on his 2008 debut, I Just Want to Get Paid! His dependable percussion work also supported Streisand on the 2017 concert presentation The Music... The Mem'ries... The Magic!
Born in Berkeley, California, Tull started playing drums early and absorbed jazz extensively during his formative years. By his teenage period he already displayed notable proficiency in swing and the broader jazz lineage. Following studies at California State Northridge, he pursued steady professional work that included tours and sessions alongside flügelhornist Chuck Mangione, high-note trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, and crooner Michael Bublé. Between 2000 and 2010 he served as Barbra Streisand’s primary drummer. Outside the bandstand he took on educational roles, teaching at Pasadena City College and through the Los Angeles Jazz Society’s Bill Green Mentorship Program.
During this time he uncovered an aptitude for singing and began composing pieces shaped by the Great American Songbook. His singing and drumming appeared together on the 2008 release I Just Want to Get Paid!, after which he rejoined Michael Bublé and collaborated extensively with Manhattan Transfer vocalist Cheryl Bentyne. Those projects include the 2012 album Let’s Misbehave: The Cole Porter Songbook, for which he supplied vocalese lyrics to “All of You,” and 2016’s Lost Love Songs. In 2017 he took part in Streisand’s concert album and film The Music... The Mem'ries... The Magic!, then returned to his own catalog with the 2018 sophomore effort Texting and Driving.
Born in Berkeley, California, Tull started playing drums early and absorbed jazz extensively during his formative years. By his teenage period he already displayed notable proficiency in swing and the broader jazz lineage. Following studies at California State Northridge, he pursued steady professional work that included tours and sessions alongside flügelhornist Chuck Mangione, high-note trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, and crooner Michael Bublé. Between 2000 and 2010 he served as Barbra Streisand’s primary drummer. Outside the bandstand he took on educational roles, teaching at Pasadena City College and through the Los Angeles Jazz Society’s Bill Green Mentorship Program.
During this time he uncovered an aptitude for singing and began composing pieces shaped by the Great American Songbook. His singing and drumming appeared together on the 2008 release I Just Want to Get Paid!, after which he rejoined Michael Bublé and collaborated extensively with Manhattan Transfer vocalist Cheryl Bentyne. Those projects include the 2012 album Let’s Misbehave: The Cole Porter Songbook, for which he supplied vocalese lyrics to “All of You,” and 2016’s Lost Love Songs. In 2017 he took part in Streisand’s concert album and film The Music... The Mem'ries... The Magic!, then returned to his own catalog with the 2018 sophomore effort Texting and Driving.
Albums
