Dave Buehler

Growing up in Sacramento, classically trained pianist Dave Buehler’s jazz sensibilities were heavily shaped by his older brother, who built a mail order stereo and played jazz albums by Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and other jazz greats. His later embrace of jazz fusion inspired a youthful ambition to follow in the innovative footsteps of Chick Corea and Keith Jarrett, which led him to form the Dave Buehler Trio, performing regularly at local and regional jazz venues for 20 years. Beyond that, Buehler’s done just about everything else throughout his fascinating, eclectic career. 

He started out playing electric piano in a high school rock band; worked as a studio musician and/or producer for local advertising, corporate and voice-over projects; performed with numerous regional jazz and pop artists including Henry Robinett, Phil Silas, Crayon, Ana G and Mat Marucci; and recorded the critically acclaimed indie album Acoustic Impressions with his longtime straight ahead jazz trio. For the past 13 years, Buehler has led and played keyboards in the popular, multiple award-winning Steely Dan tribute band Steelin’ Dan. During the pandemic, he returned to solo piano and composed and released several acoustic new age tunes and a dynamic improvisational piece. 

Even as he led his trio in countless local performances for the 20 years prior to joining the Steely Dan group, Buehler always had a passion for smooth/urban jazz, particularly top keyboard artists like Gregg Karukas, Ramsey Lewis, Bob James and Jeff Lorber. His longtime interest now manifests in “Walkin’ Home,” the keyboardist’s infectious and grooving, piano-centric debut single in the genre, produced by and featuring #1 Billboard charting artist and megaproducer Nils on guitar. Buehler promises this will be just the first of more collaborations with Nils as he works towards releasing an EP down the line. 

The keyboardist’s work with Nils is rooted in his involvement in Steelin’ Dan and longtime professional and personal friendship with the group’s saxophonist Charley Langer, a Billboard charting artist who worked extensively with Nils on his 2017 album Happy Hour, which spawned the Top 15 radio hit “J Street Groove.” Though Steelin’ Dan was a popular draw since its founding in 2003, Buehler’s involvement has taken the 10-piece ensemble to a more prestigious level of popularity, taking them from small clubs and street fairs to performances at large regional venues. 

Steelin’ Dan was awarded the Sammie Award for Best Tribute band four years in a row (2015-18) by readers of the Sacramento News and Review and earned a Best of Sacramento Award by Sacramento Magazine, which featured them in their July 2022 issue as one of area’s top tribute bands – complete with an interview with Buehler about the band. The group includes lead vocalist Sandford Wragg and veteran bassist Larry Tagg (famed for his 80s group Bourgeois Tagg and his world tours with Todd Rundgren and Hall & Oates).