Santacruz guitar, bass, banjo, and mandolin

David West was born in Los Angeles, California on August 13, 1952.  He has made Santa Barbara, California his home since 1971.

Since 1971, David has traveled to India, Africa, Polynesia, Europe, Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico, and all over North America playing music and pursuing his interest in ethno-musicology.

In 1972, David co-founded the Cache Valley Drifters, a modern style bluegrass band that went on to record three ground breaking albums for Flying Fish Records (Chicago, IL) and tour North America for twelve years.

At roughly the same time, he worked as accompanist to the legendary songwriter Kate Wolf playing guitar, banjo and contributing original songs to her repertoire.

Since the end of the Cache Valley Drifters in 1984, David has worked as a freelance musician, playing as a sideman in recording sessions and performances with many well known artists.  The many hours in the studio have prepared David for work as the producer of many fine ethnic and regional style albums.  They have involved various groups as well as a reunion album of the Cache Valley Drifters and two well received solo albums released in Europe and the U.S., featuring mostly David West compositions performed in regional styles.

Currently, days are spent writing, recording and performing material designed to advance the cause of regional musical styles.  The goal:  to bring more diversity to the popular musical menu, and in so doing, promote cultural tolerance and communication through music and art.

Since 1955:  Signs on with C.M.H. Records (Los Angeles) as staff producer and studio musician making records that feature North American "regional" influences.  New Cache Valley Drifter albums, "Echoes and Reflections" (Europe) and "White Room" (U.S.) are released (1996).  "White Room" enters national Top Twenty on Gavin's Americana music chart.  Opens Play Ball's Studio "Z" in Santa Barbara (1996).  Wins Santa Barbara County Arts Council grant competition for Music Composition (1998).  New solo album for Europe's Taxim label (2001).  Turns in 50th "Pickin'" on CD for C.M.H. (2002).  Song representation by Bug Music (L.A., Nashville).  Artist representation by Box Office, Inc. (Nashville).

Peter Lewis with David West, Live in Bremen; David West-Solo Guitar Sketches; David West/Broken Down Believers; David West/Arcane; Pickin' on Gov't Mule; Pickin' on John Mayer; Pickin' on the Grateful Dead Volume 1; Pickin' on the Grateful Dead Volume 2; Pickin' on Blues Traveler; Pickin' on Cat Stevens; Pickin' on Jimi Hendrix; Pickin' on Bob Marley; Pickin' on Pink Floyd; Pickin' on Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young vol. 1; Crosby, Stills Nash and Young vol. 2; Deja Bluegrass, Pickin' on Crosby, Stills, Nash and Yound vols. 1 & 2; The Fiddle and the Damage Done, Pickin' on Neil Young; Tangled Up in Bluegrass Pickin' on Dylan; Cache Valley Drifters, White Room, Cache Valley Drifters, Echoes and Reflections; Pickin' on Van Morrison; Pickin' on Jerry Garcia; Pickin' on Springsteen; Pickin' on Springsteen vol. 2; Pickin' on Eric Clapton; Pickin' on Bonnie Raitt; Hats off to Hank Williams; Fire on the Banjo; Rockin' Banjos of Bluegrass; Pickin' on Simon and Garfunkle; Pickin' on The Who; Pickin' on The Doobie Brothers; Pickin' on String Cheese Incident; Still Phishin' vol. 2; Pickin' on Creedence Clearwater Revival; Pickin' on Elton John; Breathe vol. 2; Pickin' on Dave Matthews Band; Pickin' on Led Zeppelin vol. 2; Pickin' on Alan Jackson vol. 2; Merry Mountain Christmas

Most recent road:  Chris Hillman (Byrds, etc.), Peter Lewis (Moby Grape), Peter Feldmann (Very Lonesome Boys); mostly studio work.

Byrds, Flying Burrito Bros., The Band, Flatt and Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Ry Cooder

All of the "Buena Vista Social Club" records, Kate Wallace, sound track "My Fair Lady", Paul Brady, early Pentangle, Joshua Bell - Westside Story

"I became a believer in Elixir® Strings after trying them in the studio.  The reduction in 'string squeek' was amazing.  It was later that their long life was made apparent."