David Eyges

David MacAulay Eyges (born November 6, 1950) is an American jazz cellist, composer, and record producer.

Eyges was born in San Francisco on November 6, 1950.^[1] His family settled in Belmont, Massachusetts, in 1953.^[1] He began playing the piano aged five and had cello lessons from age 11.^[1] In 1968–69 he studied at Boston University, and he was awarded a BA for cello studies by the Manhattan School of Music in 1972.^[1] Encounters with blues musicians in Cambridge, Massachusetts, were an important influence, as Eyges sought to transfer elements of their music to the cello.^[1]

"Eyges worked for a few years in various concert orchestras and theater ensembles, sometimes earning fees providing background music for commercials."^[1] His recording career began in 1974, with vibraphonist Bobby Paunetto.^[1] Eyges's debut album as leader – The Captain – came three years later.^[1] He married in 1976 and a son was born in 1984.^[1]

From 1987 Eyges specialized in playing a Tucker F. Barrett solid-body electric cello.^[1] He commented that, in addition to being able to produce a variety of colours from the instrument, it had two advantages over an acoustic cello: "volume, because playing an acoustic instrument with a fierce drummer just doesn't make it; and transportability, since I can safely put it in the baggage compartments of planes and trains."^[2]

Eyges's playing influenced later generations of creative cellists, who appeared from the 1990s.^[1] He formed MidLantic Records in 2002 and produced albums for the label, as well as continuing to play.^[1]

Jon Pareles noted two facets of Eyges's playing in 1983.^[3] When plucking, his trio (James Emery on guitar and Sunny Murray on drums) was bluesy and "Eyges treated his cello as a percussive instrument".^[3] When bowing, "the pieces called for long-breathed melodies".^[3]