Percussionist/composer Dave Black received his Bachelor of Music in percussion performance from California State University, Northridge. While at Northridge, Dave Black studied with notable teachers and performers such as Louie Bellson, Joel Leach, Ed Shaughnessy, Steve Schaeffer, Jerry Steinholtz and the late Nick Ceroli. He has traveled around the world with a variety of entertainers and shows, performing and recording with such artists as Alan King, Robert Merrill, June Allyson, Anita O'Day, Pete Jolly, Frankie Capp, Gordon Brisker, Kim Richmond, Victor Lewis, Jerry Hey and Steve Huffsteter.



A prolific composer and arranger, more than 60 of his compositions and arrangements have been published by Alfred Music Publishing, Barnhouse, CPP/Belwin, TRN, Highland/Etling and Warner Brothers, and many of them have been recorded. Dave Black has written with, and for the bands of Louie Bellson, Sammy Nestico, Bill Watrous, Bobby Shew, Ed Shaughnessy, Gordon Brisker and the C.S.U., Northridge Jazz Ensemble. He has been the recipient of many awards and commissions, including 21 consecutive ASCAP Popular Composer Awards (for his contributions to the symphonic and concert repertoires) and two Grammy participation/nomination certificates – one for his performance contribution on Anita O'Day's Grammy-nominated album In a Mellow Tone, and the other for his contribution as album-track composer on Louie Bellson's Grammy-nominated album Airmail Special. In addition, many of his compositions have been used as source/background music on numerous TV shows including All My Children, Coach, The Drew Carey Show, General Hospital, Ellen, Grace Under Fire, Nightline, Roseanne and Good Morning America.



Dave Black is the co-author of several best-selling books published by Alfred Music Publishing Company: Alfred's Drum Method, Books 1 & 2 (the world's current best seller); Alfred's Beginning Drumset Method; Contemporary Brush Techniques; Drumset 101; Alfred’s Kid’s Drum Course, Books 1 & 2; Living Praise; Cymbals: A Crash Course; A Jazz Diary (chosen for the 1998-2000 National Federation of Music Club's Junior Festival Bulletin); Drumset Independence & Syncopation; The Essential Dictionary of Orchestration; and Sound Innovations for Concert Band. Dave Black's books and music are used and performed by tens of thousands of young people all over the world. He has also written countless articles, book reviews and concert reviews for prominent magazines such as Down Beat, The Instrumentalist, Modern Drummer, Modern Percussionist, Drums and Drumming, Drum Tracks, Grammy Pulse, Jazz Educators Journal and Music Connection-in addition to being a featured subject in many of them.



As an active member of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), Dave Black served on the National Board of Directors for six years, was a member of the Sustaining Members Advisory Council, and was selected to host/chair the 1991 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Anaheim, California. He presently serves as Vice President and Editor-in-Chief, School & Church Publications, for Alfred Music Publishing Company.



Alfred Music Publishing celebrates the 25th anniversary of its best-selling Alfred's Drum Method, Book 1, and the industry's most comprehensive beginning snare drum method. With more than 500,000 units sold worldwide, the book was created by award-winning arranger/ composer, percussionist, and author, Dave Black, and the late educator, conductor, and award-winning arranger/composer, Dr. Sandy Feldstein.



In 2012 Dave Black was the recipient of the PAS President's Industry Award.