David Sait

David Sait (1972), experimental guzheng artist and improviser from Brampton/Toronto, Canada writes-records-performs on the long stringed Chinese zither (guzheng or zheng). David utilizes a variety of styles and disciplines crossing dysfunctional classical with non-descript avant garde and World music. Sait brings a contemporary, free spirited mentality to this ancient instrument that dates back more than 3,000 years paying respect to it's rich history, but honouring it by searching for a unique voice. His father was a jazz bandleader/composer/arranger who performed with many jazz greats (Buddy Rich, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald, etcetera), and his Grandmother was a performing classical pianist (Russia). He is an active member of AIMToronto (Association of Improvising Musicians Toronto) and the Guzheng One Club (China). In performance and recording, David is a committed solo improviser, but also has been fortunate enough to perform with a cross section of incredible artists including: Michael Keith, John Oswald, Paul Dutton, Christine Duncan, Scott Thomson, Xu Fengxia, Mick Beck, Parmela Attariwala, David Prentice, Sarah Peebles, Allison Cameron, Anne Bourne, Glen Hall, Rainer Wiens, Eric Chenaux, Joe Sorbara, Andy Yue, Ken Aldcroft, Victor Bateman, Gary Simkins, Colin Fisher, Germaine Liu, Friendly Rich, Gregory Oh and many more. Also worked recently in collaboration on separate occasions with dancer Claire E. Barrett (NYC) and painter Katherine Dolgy Ludwig (NYC).

Began playing sax, percussion, organ as a child. First public performance in 1980 (age 8) with the Leon Sait 18-piece Big Band under the guidance of Columbian percussionist Memo Esavedo. Over 20 years of formal/private music studies, live performance and recording experience balanced between guzheng, guitar, and invented found object instruments has helped shape a focus for new music exploration and presenting guzheng enthusiasts alternative forms of expression not traditionally heard from this beautiful instrument.

Noteworthy performances include: The Leftover Daylight Series, Interface Series, Parade of Noises, Bummer in the Park, Rogue Wave Splash Festival, Brampton Indie Arts Festival, Music(in)Galleries, NOW Series, 416 Creative Improvisers Festival, T.O.E.S., AS IS and countless one-off’s.

David's most recent recorded work can be heard on: "Guzheng Music", "Tortoise Ram", "Cracker & Shoe”, and a collection of solo improvisations from the guzheng > to a distortion pedal > to a cheapo boombox. Being released later in 2008 on the Bennifer Editions label.

David also belongs to a collective global network of guzheng artists committed to revitalizing interest in the instrument, it’s heritage and it’s sonic possibilities. Although this is not an official organization, these artists from all over the World are in regular contact for support and promotion of each others work and vision for guzheng.

"the young Canadian does some wonderful things on the 18-string Chinese zither….it's a set that doesn't falter for a moment and which indulges no hint of exotica......for a self-produced effort it's pretty exceptional and worth a visit" - Reviewed by: Brian Morton (WIRE Magazine)

Guzheng Music - David Sait

Sait- guzheng (18-string Chinese zither),
elec. gtr., acoustic gtr., keyboard, strumstick

"Too many records that attempt to combine musics from different countries end up cheapening, if not outright trashing, most if not all of the sources they try to fuse. Though of course there’s no such thing as a “pure” culture and I have to say that musical fusing can be one of the best things going, I’ve heard too many train wrecks or, on the other hand, aggressively shallow noodlings. Guzheng Music is more than just the exception to these tendencies. “Heat is Healing” stakes out a new territory neither east nor west and most tracks come off very well indeed. Sait glides this ancient instrument effortlessly into modern territory, or he can get subcontinent Indian, Appalachian or Celtic out of his zither in beguiling ways. There’s nothing forced here and it all comes together in a manner that usually sounds like it was always meant to be just that way. Trust me, that’s very hard to do". - Richard Grooms, The Improvisor http://www.the-improvisor.com

“beautiful work, you seem a quite extraordinary, unique improviser”
- Graham/The Good Anna ( UK )

“this is a fantastic CD! Intriguing, interesting and innovative...I love it! Once again, many thanks for this outstanding CD. Lots of comments around the station”. - Don Campau “No Pigeonholes” KKUP 91.5 ( San Francisco , USA )

“it's quite interesting then that by traveling backwards in time in his choice of instrumentation, Sait has been able to move forward in both style and sound, creating a fresh and exciting new work”.- Rik McLean/Ping Things (CANADA)

“It took me a while but your albums have really settled in with me now. They make for unique listening. There's no denying the passion you have for your music. Keep on playing and enjoying yourself!” -Simon from SITORIMON ( UK )

“This is very impressive music, very serious music.” -Ben E. Jacob ( USA )

I listened to your tunes and loved it a lot. It`s very fresh and interesting. - Xu Fengxia / Guzheng Virtuoso (GERMANY)

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