Dave Samuels

[Jeff Harbour]

Spyro Gyra's great long-time marimba/vibraphone player Dave Samuels has died at age 70. He was a great improviser who I've admired for many years, and to me was critical to the Spyro Gyra sound. I never met him, but I did have the pleasure of watching him on stage several times over the course of a week back in the 90s performing ensemble pieces with members of the WVU percussion section (as part of a convention). At the time I was in high school, and was there rehearsing and performing with the All-State Orchestra... and Dave was the featured performer of the week.

[Mike Neer]

Many of my musical and personal connections have ties to Dave, whether as a bandmate or student, and he touched each and every one them profoundly.