David Fiuczynski
Jazz guitarist who blends genres and explores microtones.
David Fiuczynski, born March 5, 1964, is an American guitarist in contemporary jazz. He is most recognized for fronting the Screaming Headless Torsos and David Fiuczynski's KiF, and for his work with Hasidic New Wave. His session and band work has contributed to over 95 albums. Fiuczynski calls himself "a jazz musician who doesn't want to play just jazz," and his albums often center on themes from other genres: Screaming Headless Torsos focuses on jazz-funk fusion, while Hasidic New Wave mixes jazz with Semitic and African music. His album *Jazz Punk* reworks standards and covers by his mentors into unusual musical combinations.
Fiuczynski was born in the U.S. but moved to Germany at age eight, staying until he was nineteen. He then returned to study at Hampshire College and the New England Conservatory, earning a Bachelor of Music in 1989. After over a decade in New York City, he now lives in Massachusetts and teaches at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
In 2005, former Police drummer Stewart Copeland hired Fiuczynski for the band Gizmo, which toured Italy in July of that year. Starting in 2007, he has toured with trumpeter Cuong Vu and jazz pianist Hiromi Uehara. (Note: He is not listed as a performer on Uehara's albums *Time Control* or *Beyond Standard*.) In 2012, he founded Planet MicroJam, an institute exploring microtones in jazz, ethnic folk, and other contexts. He played guitar on alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa's 2013 album *Gamak*.
- Born
- March 5, 1964
- Field
- Contemporary jazz guitarist
- Nationality
- American
- Known for
- Leader of Screaming Headless Torsos and David Fiuczynski's KiF; member of Hasidic New Wave; professor at Berklee College of Music
Lore & Background
Fiuczynski was born in the United States, but his family moved to Germany when he was 8 years old and remained until he was 19. He returned to the US to study at Hampshire College and later the New England Conservatory, receiving a Bachelor of Music from the latter in 1989. After living in New York City for more than a decade, he now resides in Massachusetts and is a professor at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Many of his albums have thematic material associated with one or more additional genres. For example, Screaming Headless Torsos emphasizes jazz-funk fusion; Hasidic New Wave blends jazz with Semitic and African music. His album Jazz Punk is a collection of standards and covers written by his idols and mentors, each reworked in distinctive musical combinations. In 2005, he was hired by former Police drummer Stewart Copeland for the band Gizmo, which toured in Italy in July 2005. Starting in 2007, he has toured with trumpeter Cuong Vu and with jazz pianist Hiromi Uehara. (Note: He is not listed as a performer on Uehara's albums *Time Control* or *Beyond Standard*.)
Reader's Guide
David Fiuczynski's significance lies in his consistent refusal to be confined to a single genre, blending jazz with funk, Semitic, African, and other influences across his many projects. As leader of Screaming Headless Torsos and KiF, and as a member of Hasidic New Wave, he has produced a substantial discography of over 95 albums. His work as a sideman with artists such as Hiromi Uehara and Rudresh Mahanthappa further demonstrates his versatility. In 2012, he founded Planet MicroJam, an institute exploring the use of microtones in jazz, ethnic folk, and other contexts, marking a distinctive contribution to contemporary music. His role as a professor at Berklee College of Music ensures his influence extends to future generations of musicians. His legacy is that of a boundary-crossing guitarist who has expanded the harmonic and stylistic possibilities of jazz.
Did You Know?
- Fiuczynski's family moved to Germany when he was 8 and stayed until he was 19.
- He has played on more than 95 albums as a session musician, band leader, or band member.
- He started Planet MicroJam in 2012, an institute exploring microtones in jazz and ethnic folk contexts.
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