Dave Clark

Dave draws his repertoire primarily from:

• The Great American Songbook
• Classic jazz ballads and standards
• Brazilian jazz and bossa nova
• Blues-inflected jazz
• Selected familiar melodies arranged for solo guitar

The solo format combines melody, harmony and improvisation on a single instrument. The result is musically engaging while remaining sufficiently subtle for conversation, dining and social occasions.

The program can be adjusted to suit the character of the event, from relaxed and romantic to more rhythmic and upbeat.

Receptions and cocktail hours

Sophisticated, welcoming music for guest arrival, drinks receptions, gallery openings and corporate gatherings.

Dining and private events

Low-volume instrumental jazz for an aperitif, the opening portion of dinner, an anniversary, a private celebration or another occasion requiring music that complements rather than dominates the room.

Intimate solo concert

House concerts, small cultural venues and listening-room settings. Concert programmes can include brief introductions to the music and more adventurous repertoire than an event performance.

Dave Clark is an American jazz guitarist and composer based in Haarlem, the Netherlands.

Originally classically trained, Dave studied guitar performance under Bruce Holzman at the Florida State University. He later immersed himself in jazz, studying with jazz guitar masters Mimi Fox, Randy Vincent and John Stowell and attending the Berkeley Jazzschool. He performed throughout the San Francisco Bay Area on guitar and bass for two decades before moving to the Netherlands in 2024. 

Dave's solo arrangements bring together the harmonic richness of jazz, a strong melodic sensibility and blues-influenced improvisation. His repertoire ranges the Great American Songbook and Brazilian jazz to modern compositions and original music. His recorded solo performances have attracted an international audience through YouTube, while his other work includes ensemble performances and commercially released collaborations.

For private and professional events, Dave concentrates on elegant, accessible solo guitar presented with a compact setup and a carefully controlled volume.

Format: Solo instrumental guitar
Performance length: Typically one set of up to 60 minutes or two sets of 45 minutes each
Location: Based in Haarlem, available throughout the Netherlands and elsewhere by arrangement
Repertoire: Jazz standards, ballads, Brazilian jazz and selected familiar melodies
Sound: Compact amplification with connections for the PA in larger venues
Space requirements: 2,0 m x 2,0 m
Technical requirements: Standard electrical outlet within 3,0 m of the performance area
Languages: Event coordination and spoken introductions in English and Dutch

Amplification is adjusted to the room and event so that the music remains present without interfering with conversation. The format is suitable for indoor events and properly sheltered outdoor locations.

When enquiring about availability, please provide:

• The date and location
• The type of event
• The approximate number of guests
• The requested performance time
• A brief description of the venue or performance area

Email: dfclark@gmail.com 
Telephone: +31 6 27 58 11 84 

Short biography

Dave Clark is an American jazz guitarist and composer based in Haarlem. Drawing on classical training and years of jazz performance in the San Francisco Bay Area, he creates expressive solo arrangements of jazz standards, ballads and Brazilian repertoire. He performs atmospheric instrumental music for receptions, dinners, private events and intimate concerts.

Short event listing

American jazz guitarist Dave Clark brings an elegant, understated atmosphere to receptions, dinners and private events. His solo arrangements combine familiar melodies, rich jazz harmony and improvisation, with a repertoire spanning the Great American Songbook, jazz ballads and Brazilian classics. Based in Haarlem, he performs throughout the Netherlands.

One-sentence description

Haarlem-based American guitarist Dave Clark performs elegant solo jazz for receptions, dinners, private events and intimate concerts.