(Solo artist, Strawbs, Iona, Celestial Fire, Lifesigns, Colin Blunstone Band, Downes Braise Association)

 

Best known as co-founder of pioneering Celtic folk/rock band IONA and more recently with Lifesigns, Celestial Fire, DBA (with Geoff Downes of Yes), Strawbs, The Colin Blunstone Band and as a solo artist, Dave’s multi-faceted career has led him into many musical genres and work with numerous artists including; Chris Braide, Jack Bruce, Troy Donockley, Buddy Guy, Gloria Gaynor, Mae McKenna, Moya Brennan, Paul Jones, Phil Keaggy, Robert Fripp, Nick Beggs, Damian Wilson and many others. 

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Dave gained several performance awards during his time at Leeds College of Music (including BBC Radio 2 Best Jazz Soloist Award). He has been in the top 4 in Prog Magazine’s Reader’s Poll Best Guitarist category several times and in January 2025 was listed by The Northern Echo as one of the Top 7 creative talents to come out of his home town of Darlington. As well as recording 13 albums with IONA and numerous collaborative albums, Dave’s 5th solo album ‘On the Edge (of what could be)’, will be released in Spring 2024. Special guests include Sally, Simon Phillips (Toto/The Who/Mike Oldfield), Randy McStine (Porcupine Tree), Troy Donockley (Nightwish), Iain Hornal (10CC/ELO), Rachel Walker, Ebony Buckle and more.

 

“Bainbridge has always been known as a fantastic guitar player, with his trademark soaring and searing leads. However, he is an equally accomplished keyboard player....On Celestial Fire, he really shows off his ivory chops....The instrumental parts are some of the coolest I've heard in years.”

David Taylor - www.spiritualprog.com

 

“Dave’s fluid, emotional guitar playing, epic keyboard work and expansive compositions combine into one of this generation’s most powerful and original musical voices.”

John Kellogg (producer - Chicago, Foreigner, Black Crows, Deep Purple, ELP)

 

"Dave is the worlds most underrated guitarist AND keyboardist in any genre; and this spectacular album (Celestial Fire) proves it. If this doesn't rocket him into the Prog firmament, then I'm a girl from Surrey." 

Troy Donockley (Nightwish, The Bad Shepherds)

 

"Dave Bainbridge is a genius of immeasurable proportions….working with artists as varied as Buddy Guy, Jack Bruce and IONA. If you are unfamiliar with him it's time to make amends. Trust me."

Nick Beggs (Steve Wilson, Steve Hackett etc, etc)

 

Dave's 3rd solo album 'The Remembering', a first collection of solo piano improvisations, was released in March 2016:

"Imbued with the dynamic spirit of Ravel and Debussy, with a thrilling dash of Bill Evans...and album that's pure class from first note to last."
Prog Magazine 4/16

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"Consisting of twelve piano improvisations, the album entitled "The Remembering" is a wonderful and wonder filled collection from an artist who I have to confess is my favorite musician on the planet….Inspired by such musicians as Jack Bruce & Keith Jarrett….it a sonic journey to many far and distant places….this is just one amazing collection of music."

www.tollbooth.org 3/16

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“I've been listening to The Remembering this morning. It's all I imagined it to be and more. I can really immerse myself in these pieces, and sense the essence behind each 'carefully placed' but spontaneously inspired note. It sounds like the intuition that emerges from a wonderful life - like I'm almost 'listening' to someone's auto biography. Thank you for sharing your heart.”

Ian 

 

“Listening for the very first time now. It is painfully beautiful... This music will go with us the rest of our lives...this is absolutely transcendent. Thank you so very much Dave!!!!”

John William 

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“I've just listened to The Remembering for the first time, and it is quite beautiful as well as admirable. I can only offer my highest praise; you merit sharing a piano stool with Keith Jarrett. Thanks, congratulations, and bless you, Dave.”

John