About David Alvarez
David Alvarez III is a jazz drummer, composer, arranger, and educator with a rich and diverse musical background. Introduced to the drum set at the age of five, David grew up playing in church and began his formal musical education at nine in Michigan. His jazz education started through The Arts League of Michigan’s summer program, and for eight years, he was a part of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Youth Ensemble jazz program, where he was mentored by professors and students from both the University of Michigan and Michigan State University.
During his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, David was selected to join the 2015 Disney All-American College Band, gaining valuable professional performance experience and participating in music entrepreneurship masterclasses. He also performed extensively throughout Michigan, developing his craft through local gigs. David graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jazz Studies with Teacher Certification.
Since then, David has toured nationally with the Benny Green Trio and the Clayton Brothers Quintet, performing with both groups on “The Jazz Cruise.” From 2021 to 2024, he served as an adjunct drum set professor at the University of Michigan while completing his master’s degree, which he earned from Michigan State University in the spring of 2024. Currently, he performs and teaches throughout the New York and Connecticut areas.
