David Heyes studied double bass with Laurence Gray and Bronwen Naish, later at the Royal College of Music in London, and he completed his post-graduate studies in Prague with František Pošta (Principal Bass, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra) from 1986. He has given recitals and masterclasses in 20 countries over the past few years and has been Jury Chairman and a juror at a number of international performance and composition competitions. David’s collaborative work gained him a prestigious award from the David Walter Charitable Trust of New York for his pioneering activities as a soloist, teacher, publisher and commissioner of new music. He works with composers throughout the world to expand the double bass repertoire by commissioning new music alongside rediscovering forgotten works and since 1990 more than 750 works have been written for him, music from one to twenty basses and from beginner to virtuoso. He has premiered ten contemporary concertos with orchestra David’s compositional career began in 2013 and he has had music performed, recorded and broadcast in 36 countries, across five continents. He has received commissions from many leading bassists and festivals, has been Featured Composer a number of times, and several works have been used as the imposed work for competitions in Spain and Slovakia. His solo and ensemble music for young bassists has been particularly successful and his use of colour, alongside a wealth of playing techniques and effects, has created a unique body of work which has endeared it to students and teachers alike.
In 1986 David founded the publishing company Recital Music, which now has the largest catalogue of digital double bass music in the world, and has written articles and reviews for the leading specialist music magazines including The Strad, Bass News, Music Teacher, Double Bassist, ESTA News & Views, Classical Music and Bass Magazine Online. David is proud to be a D’Addario Performing Artist.
