Some are raised in New Orleans’ musical tradition. Others join it by force of will. David Bode, a New Orleans-born saxophonist and composer, felt the pull of his city’s timeless, creative spirit from childhood. But as the first musician in his family, connecting with it required desire and persistence. A graduate of the renowned Loyola University and University of New Orleans music programs, Bode, who first began performing professionally while in high school, has spent more than two decades performing, writing, and recording in New Orleans and beyond. He is a regular at his city’s famed music clubs, concert halls, and festivals performing with New Orleans High Society, the New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra, and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, among many others, and is the leader of the David Bode Big Band. Good Hang, Bode’s first release as a leader, blends his eclectic musical sensibility into the classic sounds of big band jazz, resulting in an energetic debut.

Bode grew up with a diverse musical diet: the Meters, Professor Longhair, and Dr. John during Mardi Gras, occasional Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and New Orleans Opera Association concerts, classic rock and R&B from his parents’ vinyl record collection, and 90s alternative and rock on the radio. He began his musical education on clarinet in elementary school, but after hearing big band jazz at an honor band concert, he became determined to understand jazz and master the saxophone. He pursued formal training at Loyola University New Orleans and the University of New Orleans with Tony Dagradi, Johnny Vidacovich, Dr. Joseph Hebert, Matt Lemmler, John Mahoney, Ed Petersen, Steve Masakowski, Victor Atkins, and Brian Seeger. 

Since 2002, Bode has been a mainstay in the New Orleans music scene, performing at Tipitina’s, Snug Harbor, The Maple Leaf, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and French Quarter Fest among many more. He has also performed at the St. Lucia Jazz Festival, Rockwood Music Hall in New York City, and East Shore Jazz Café in Beijing, China. Bode has also been active in the recording studio, appearing on 20 recordings as a sideman or member of an ensemble, most recently on Canal Street Revolution by trombonist Evan Oberla, who also appears on Good Hang. In addition, Bode produced the debut album of his traditional jazz band, New Orleans High Society, which continues to receive regular radio play on WWOZ in New Orleans and on Sirius XM’s Real Jazz.

In addition to his active performing schedule, Bode has been a music educator for over two decades.

He has taught in after school programs, given private lessons to children and adults, and lectured on music business topics for the wider New Orleans musical community. His private students have pursued music degrees at the University of North Texas, Belmont University, and others. He has given masterclasses at Loyola University New Orleans, taught Entrepreneurship in the UNO College of Business, and presented at the 2021 ISJAC Virtual Conference. He is a member of the Recording Academy; the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers; the Jazz Educators Network; and the American Federation of Musicians. He lives in New Orleans with his wife and three children.