Montclair musician and record producer David "Pic" Conley will perform on flute with the No Rulz Band on Friday, Oct. 3, at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., at Trumpets Jazz Club, 6 Depot Square. Band members include Roby Douglas, Nat Janoff, Greg Kilpatrick, Gene Lake and guest vocalist Richard Clark. Conley will perform his first smooth jazz solo of excerpts from his latest CD, "Bird of Paradise."
Cover charge is $25, which includes a complimentary "Bird of Paradise" CD for each guest. For reservations, call 973-744-2600.
Multi-instrumentalist David "Pic" Conley is a founding member of the popular R&B and pop recording group, Surface, and was instrumental in the group’s No.1 R&B hits, "Shower Me With Your Love," and "Only You Can Make Me Happy." He is also known for his great flute solos, lusty vocals and impeccable production pieces. That talent has made him a logical choice for state-of-the-art studio recordings. From Victoria Beckham and (Spice Girls) Damon Dash to Blackstreet, the Institute of Audio Research alumnus has amassed a daunting list of producer credits, which encompasses nearly every nomenclature. Other big names David has worked with are Burt Bachrach, Aretha Franklin, Isaac Hayes, Melba Moore, Stanley Jordan, Olivia, Gwen Guthrie, Joe Thomas, Regina Bell, and George Benson.
It was in 1977after contributing to the group Mandrill’s album "New World" and after performing on Soul Train for the first time that David first came to the attention of the public. From that point on, his star began to rise.
As a child, David listened to various genres and was heavily influenced by his hero, Motown crooner Marvin Gaye. Also discernable in David’s seductive style are the influences of flutists Hubert Law and Carlos Wilson of Mandrill.
Months after releasing their first single, "Let’s Try Again" (1986), Surface released "Only You Can Make Me Happy," a lucid tune with passionate lyrics, which soared to No. 1 on the R&B charts. These were tracks from Surface, which sold more than 500,000 copies. And a year later, David produced the album, "Are You Tough Enough" for singer Rebbie Jackson.
In 1989 following their first album, David and the group released the platinum release "Second Wave," which contains four singles, including "I Miss," "Closer Than Friends," "You Are My Everything," featuring Regina Belle, and the chart-topper, "Shower Me With Your Love." During that same year, he produced the No.1 single, "Don‘t Take it Personal," for the popular Jermain Jackson. This project proved to be the perfect follow-up and whetted fans’ appetites for other Conley-produced recordings.
Perhaps the trio’s greatest solo success was the album "3 Deep," that boasted the track, "The First Time," which topped the charts on R&B, pop, and AC, as fans purchased 500,000 units.
David’s dynamic musicianship is captured on their 1991 Columbia Records release, "The Best Surface: A Nice Time for Loving." His last studio recording with the Surface was "The Best First Time: The Best of Surface."
The recently released CD "Bird of Paradise," the latest creation from David and the No Rulz Band, features Hubert Laws, Nelson Rangel, Bernard Jackson, Paul Jackson Jr., and the sultry vocals of Levi of Blackstreet. Aside from major distribution, the project will also be available online at Itunes and other Internet retail outlets.
From his first single as a member of Surface and under the direction of Larkin Arnold, until now, David "Pic" Conley continues to compose, produce and market many of his own projects. What we see looming over the horizon is only the beginning of an inexhaustible reservoir of superb musical productions to come.
