New York, the birth place of "Cool Jazz" was also the birth place of David Paul Chiodo, aka 'Papa Dave". At age nine, Dave, began studying guitar in Niagara Falls and by thirteen was teaching his own students in a private school and playing in the Jazz Clubs in western New York and across the Canadian border.
Dave's personal list of the all time greats include his first instructor, Charley Chirenza, along with Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, Johnny Smith, Jon Hall, Charley Christian, Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, Kenny Burrell, Carlos Santana, B.B. King and George Benson...all great performer/ musicians whom Dave emulated and enjoyed.
By 1958 Dave's family had moved from New York to Florida where Dave organized a group called the Apollos in the Palm Beach area. This group was signed to the Mercury record label. The Apollos evolved into The Birdwatchers to satisfy their "Personal Management's" need for a "Euro style" group to compete with the Beatles. (The Birdwatchers became one of the best groups ever to come out of Florida. ( SEE band photos and member names during the evolution.) Then Vietnam happened and Dave was drafted and turned in his guitar for a gun. This was an inopportune time for Dave to be yanked out of the music business but he actually formed another group while serving in Europe and though his main job was as a 'Top Gun' rated tank gunner for the Fourth Armored Division (Europe) of the United States Army, Dave still kept up his music. On his return to the States, his first gig was backing Dionne Warwick in Miami. Dave worked with Buddy Rich, Chubby Checker, Carl Perkins, Sam and Dave, The Secrets, Lonnie Mack, The Angels, Ray Stevens, Wayne Carson, The Coasters, George and Gwen McRae, The Drifters, Charley McCoy, Styx and many others.
‘Papa Dave’ Chiodo continues his composing and recording with the Soul Deep Rhythm Section, a studio recording group. And finally, following "Papa Dave's" natural inclination, and to be sure 'the circle will be unbroken', he shares his knowledge to "pay it forward".....
"Papa Dave" is a master teacher.