Dave's Story

Dave Milne is bringing the bounce back to jazz. By mixing Hip Hop heavy beats and production with exciting chord progressions, memorable melodies and brilliant saxophone playing, Milne has in just two years, become one of the Rose City’s premiere performers. Milne is packing venues and leaving a trail of believers from Portland to Europe- and it seems this is only the beginning. In 2007 Milne debuted Present Tense- 13 fresh, funktified tracks that are at home on traditional and contemporary jazz radio while accessible enough for R&B and Hip Hop lovers across the spectrum. Since his sold out release show at Jimmy Mak’s (voted one of the Top 100 jazz clubs in the U.S.), he has been featured in several local and regional publications (including the Oregonian and Portland Tribune) and is regularly featured on the award-winning jazz station KMHD. The recent debut of his soulful vocal chops into the live show has added a new versatility and depth to an already formidable performer. Present Tense has also made it across the pond, and Milne is starting to build a European buzz. He has been a featured artist in the popular German music magazine Sonic, Wood & Brass and in Jazz Magazine- “Ain’t That Bad,” from Present Tense has been included in the Italian magazine as part of a promotional CD distributed to over 10,000 jazz lovers. In April of 2008, Milne was tapped as Musical Director for up and coming pop/R&B songstress and Portland Artist of the Year, Debra Arlyn (www.debraarlyn.com). In addition to writing and arranging horn parts, he is singing back-up and performing on tour with her band. Present Tense was recorded in Portland, OR at Kung Fu Bakery and engineered and co-produced by Bob Stark (Tom Grant, Dan Balmer, McKinley). The album was mastered with Brian “Big Bass” Gardener (OutKast, Eminem, Gwen Stefani, Janet Jackson, Snoop Dog, 50 Cent) in Los Angeles. From the undeniable melodic intensity of “Soul Bop” to the advanced harmonic sensibility of “You Pea Ess,” Milne’s unique vision and artistry are only surpassed, perhaps, by how he arrived there. 8 years ago, Dave Milne wasn’t even sure he’d be playing music at all, let alone as a premier jazz saxophonist and composer. As a jazz performance major at DePaul University in Chicago, Milne spent 8-10 hours a day practicing, working hard to fulfill his musical dreams. And he was well on his way. He played saxophone for groups all over the city from the House of Blues, Park West, and Schubas to the Double Door and the Lincoln Park Zoo Summer Concert Series. The future looked bright. By his junior year, however, severe Scoliosis and his rigorous performance and practice schedule had taken its toll, setting off a series of painful setbacks that eventually forced him to put down the saxophone indefinitely. He was devastated. When Milne moved to Portland, OR in 2000, he was focused on two things. Healing and to eventually…play music again. Over the next 4 years, he would slowly nurse himself back to health with a combination of meditation, exercise, chiropractic work and patience. Developing a technique of low impact playing, he methodically began to retrain himself to play the saxophone. By mid 2005 Milne had made more progress than anyone had ever anticipated. His goal of playing the saxophone professionally once more was becoming reality. He now had a full docket of students to whom he was teaching his newly developed saxophone method and was sitting in with several groups around town. Nearly 8 years after his debilitating setback, Milne debuted Present Tense and hasn’t looked back since. While touring with Debra Arlyn, he also has his eye on the European market and a new album in 2009. With the recent introduction of his vocal chops into his live show, he continues to solidify himself as one of the most talented performers in the NW. For more information on this rising star, please visit www.davemilnemusic.com or www.myspace.com/davemilnemusic.