Known by Reputation
The multifaceted career of Cedar Rapids, Iowa area guitarist Dave Paris has included countless live performances, endless hours of recording sessions, hundreds of guitar students, and thousands of hours instructing. A virtuoso guitarist, he has appeared on stage and recordings in multiple genres including rock, metal, country, jazz, gospel, praise and worship, pop, symphonic, and acoustic, and his musical contributions have been part of national and international projects.
A continual learner, he has gone coast to coast to learn guitar techniques, including sessions at Hollywood’s Musician’s Institute, to Paul Gilbert’s Guitar Camp in New York. He is always looking for new concepts and ideas, and eager to share and use his knowledge and experience to bring out the best in others when teaching private lessons or guitar/music workshops and clinics. Dave runs the recording studio Wall of Sound Productions and teaches guitar, bass, and audio recording lessons, as well as providing artist and music business career consultation. Dave holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Iowa with an Arts Entrepreneurship Certificate. He has extensive experience working with music industry professionals of all levels, and stays in tune with industry trends, marketing, and branding for the music business.
He has tracked new country and pop riffs for Nashville artists Mitch Goudy and Diana Upton-Hill, as well as electrifying rock solos for Justin Hill’s symphonic holiday album “Wonder”. He has appeared on several other recording projects of wide-ranging genres and worked in dozens of recording studios. Through his collaboration and friendship with Christian singer and speaker Bob Colquhoun at Live God Now, Dave is the driving force for the music and songwriting aspects for Bob’s projects, serving as producer, arranger, engineer, co-writer, and musical director. His production and arrangement skills have allowed him to work with Grammy award winning engineer Glen Kolotkin at Golden Dome Studios in Florida.
His own band, “The Dave Paris Group,” is a pull-no-punches trio with musician-oriented modern rock and blues elements. Their arrangements jump between instrumental hard rock and jamming blues, stripped down acoustic songs, and female fronted vocal-intensive anthems featuring his bassist/vocalist/keyboardist/wife Barbe Paris. The group features original work as well as deep cuts other bands won’t venture to play, classics you forgot you liked, and their own take on today’s hits. No stranger to working with string orchestras, the band has also brought the rock to the Cedar Rapids Community Orchestra. You can also catch Dave with Barbe, showcasing his acoustic stylings in coffeehouses and intimate performances in their duo “Undistorted.” Throughout his career, he has released several albums with his own bands, most recently his instrumental guitar album “Jury of my Peers”, available for download and streaming on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, & everywhere you listen to music.
Built to his specifications, Dave has even designed his own guitar! Working with Cedar Rapids luthier Steve Reuter at SLR Guitars, he had a one-of-a-kind seven string guitar built. This unique guitar features a classic body design inspired by Neal Schon, a Kahler 7-string tremolo bridge, and modern progressive rock/metal Seymour Duncan pickups. This guitar is NOT available in stores!
Outside of the music realm, Dave is active in local non-profit organizations. He has volunteered and worked at the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy as well as the Artisan’s Sanctuary teaching lessons, workshops, classes, and consulting. Dave has served in various roles including Head Chair for the board of directors with K9COLA: Citizens for Off-Leash Areas, a non-profit that helps the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa manage and maintain their public dog parks. He has also volunteered with the Linn County Fair on their Marketing and Social Media teams, as well as booking and managing acts as the Free Entertainment Manager.
Inspired by Psalm 33:3 to “play skillfully”, Dave is on a continual quest to reinvent his sound and deliver nothing but the best. Energetic live performances, wall of sound recording techniques, and a passion for inspiring others is what defines his talent. Dave Paris’ versatility, style, and experience has something to offer for everyone, whether you are a listener, student, or musician.