Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Dave Stryker: Stryker with Strings Goes to the Movies

Dave Stryker: Stryker with Strings Goes to the Movies

By Richard J Salvucci
May 27, 2025
View read count

Dave Stryker: Stryker with Strings Goes to the Movies

If this recording were named "

Dave Stryker

guitar
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Stryker Plays Bernard Hermann" (or Miklós Rózsa or Elmer Bernstein), well that would be just fine. They were all gifted composers who wrote film scores. The consensus would likely be that a musician like Stryker was hardly wasting his time, but Stryker With Strings Goes to the Movies hits the hopelessly middlebrow button. So how seriously anyone decides to take the results is anyone's guess.

That would be a pity, for the tracks on this recording range from very good to OK; likewise for the orchestra, conducted by

Brent Wallarab

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Brent Wallarab, and Wallrab's arrangements. Perhaps it is just a particular affinity for an old classic like "Moonglow," but the entire production is solid and listenable. "Taxi Driver," a Hermann composition, is also very good. And anyone who likes

Henry Mancini

composer / conductor
1924 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Henry Mancini is going to enjoy "Dreamsville," which simply never gets old.

Then there is Stryker himself, an exceptional player in the tradition of

Wes Montgomery

guitar
1923 - 1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Wes Montgomery. Anyone who enjoys Montgomery will dig Stryker, whose influence is quite evident throughout. There is also not-too-shabby playing by

Jim Pugh

trombone
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Jim Pugh and

Mark Buselli

trumpet
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Mark Buselli, among others, which imparts a polished feel and a sense of jazz improvisation throughout.

As a matter of personal taste, it has always been hard to fathom why jazz artists think they have to record with strings. But, perhaps as a matter of validation as 'real' musicians, they do. Typically, the results are indifferent, unswinging, or even soporific, but it is what it is. Hearing "Theme From Shaft" even recalls a bit of 'disco fever,' which may or may not appeal to a listener. De gustibus, as they say.

This is by no means a bad recording, even if it is not going to end up on anyone's Stryker must-have list.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

In Your Eyes; Cinema Paradiso (main theme); You Only Live Twice; Taxi Driver (main title); Theme from Shaft; Cavatina; Flirtibird; Low Key Lightly; Moonglow; Dreamsville; Edelweiss.

Personnel

Dave Stryker

guitar

Xavier Davis

piano

Jeremy Allen

bass, acoustic

McClenty Hunter

drums

Sara Caswell

violin

Greg Ward

saxophone

Jim Pugh

trombone

Mark Buselli

trumpet

Additional Instrumentation

Orchestra—Brent Wallarab: arranger, conductor; Mark Buselli, Jeff Conrad: trumpet, flugelhorn; Greg Ward: alto, soprano sax; Jim Pugh, Tim Coffman, Jeff Parker, Andrew Danforth: trombone; Richard Dole: bass trombone; Sara Caswell, Michelle Black, Joseph Okhubo, Rachel Patrick, Anna Czernik, Bryson Karrer, Noelle Gosling, Tricia Bonner, Marisa Voltapek, Sage Park, Sarah Cook, Sophie Buselli: violin; Kathy Hershberger, Derek Reeves, Alex Hoberty: viola; Yoonhae Swanson, Stephen Hawkey: cello.

Album information

Title: Stryker with Strings Goes to the Movies | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Strikezone Records

Dave Stryker · Stryker With Strings Goes to the Movies

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Is It RSD Again Already?
< Previous

Norma Winstone, Xhosa Cole, Louis St...
Next >

Dave Stryker Concerts

Sep 27 Sat

Jazz Fest Day

Northampton Jazz Festival
Northampton, MA

Oct 18 Sat

The Benedetto All Stars

Gateway Playhouse
Somers Point, NJ

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.