Born September 12, 1956, David Torkanowsky grew up in a household where music was the family trade. His father, Werner Torkanowsky (1926–1992), was a German-American conductor, violinist, and composer who served as music director of the New Orleans Philharmonic from 1963 to 1977; his mother, Teresa Torkanowsky, was a famed flamenco dancer. Young Dave absorbed the city’s piano tradition directly from its masters — Danny Barker, David Lastie, and Ellis Marsalis — with formal study at NOCCA and Boston’s Berklee College of Music rounding out his education.
Torkanowsky has spent five decades as one of the most versatile keyboard players in New Orleans. He is a longtime member of the Astral Project, longtime music director for singer Dianne Reeves, and the Hammond B-3 player Dr. John called on for decades. His sideman credits number more than 200 recordings, including the 1981 Renegade Records blues album It’s In The Bag with Luther Kent & Trick Bag and James Rivers. He also owns and operates Skoringwerks, his New Orleans studio.
As a leader and conductor, Torkanowsky’s 1989 Rounder debut Steppin’ Out placed him alongside jazz legend Donald Byrd, with Rick Margitza, Steve Masakowski, and Johnny Vidacovich in the band — and included “Melody for Jaco,” his tribute to Jaco Pastorius. In 1996 he conducted the New Orleans C.A.C. Jazz Orchestra’s Mood Indigo (Rounder), featuring Johnny Adams, Germaine Bazzle, and George French, and he later recorded The Duo Series with guitarist David Paquette on Bring It On Records.
