The life of a session player is generally one of unsung heroism. In rare moments, great session players have risen to the status of household names–think of Booker T & The MGs, The Funk Brothers, The Wrecking Crew and, yes, Toto–but for every hired gun that hits it big there’s a legion of players who happily grind out a living far away from the spotlight’s bright embrace, laying the foundations that make marquee artists’ careers possible.
One of the most prolific, humble and talented session players of the last two decades isDave Manley, a versatile guitarist who played a crucial role in the neo-soul movement of the late 1990s. Manley cut his chops at The New School before eventually making it to Philadelphia in time to play at jam sessions with the likes of Jill Scott, Raheem DeVaughn, Musiq Soulchild and Bilal. But even before those connections were made, the young guitarist was bumping into another rising group of players. Read More
