David Caceres is one of the most sought-after and respected musicians in Texas. Houston is David's home where you can hear him at venues with discerning audiences such as Sullivan's, Cezanne's, Ovations, and the Magnolia. David leads groups on his alto saxophone from avant-garde trios to 7-piece jazz/funk jam groups. This variety of influences and situations gives David a unique sound on saxophone and vocals.
David was born in 1967 in San Antonio, Texas. His grandfather, Emilio Caceres, was a well-known jazz violinist, and his grand-uncle, Ernie Caceres, played baritone saxophone with Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, and the Jim Cullum Jazz Band. The Caceres family is regarded as South Texas' musical royalty.
David won a scholarship to Boston's Berklee College of Music and graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance in 1989. His Berklee studies included saxophone with Joe Viola and George Garzone, and he was a member of Herb Pomeroy's Recording Band. David lists as his musical influences, among others: Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Chet Baker, Sonny Rollins, and John Coltrane.
Bruce Crowther in Jazz Journal International writes: [Caceres is] an exceptionally gifted young musician who deserves more careful attention...[He] has yet to make his own mark as a jazz artist in his own right [but] that must be only a matter of time. [He] plays with a vibrant, hard-edged sound [and is] an inventive soloist, comfortably at home with music from the mainstream to hard bop...With a little luck [he] might well make a bigger mark in jazz history than any of his illustrious relatives.
Perpetuating the legacy of the music is critical to David, and he continues to give back to the community as an active jazz educator. He has been a faculty member of HSPVA (High School for the Performing and Visual Arts), and has been a member of the IAJE (International Association of Jazz Educators). He currently teaches at the University of Houston, and his noteworthy career in education has earned him recognition from the National Foundation for Advancement In the Arts.
David's recording career is as varied and impressive as his work on stage. His debut recording "Innermost" was released in 1995 to critical acclaim. The CD, which features a delightful mix of original compositions and jazz classics, showcases David's soulful yet modern style. David's highly anticipated second recording, "Trio", was released in 1999. Sidewalk.com compared the intimacy and virtuosity on "Trio" to the legendary small-group performances of Sonny Rollins and Branford Marsalis. The captivating yet powerful disk features drummer Sebastian Whitaker and bassist Cliff Schmitt who clearly have entered into an inspired realm with David as they explore inventive originals and classics. Given his mastery and diversity it is no wonder David has been invited to add his musical stamp to the recordings of a host of other groups. He has appeared on jazz recordings by Houston favorites Stratus, Todd Vullo, and Paul English. He also performed on Latin sensation La Mafia's Grammy award winning "Un Million De Rosas." Touchingly, he produced and performed on '"Waltz of Hope", a joint project by Houston musicians to celebrate the life of bassist Dave Nichols.