Dave Specter, born on May 21, 1963 in Chicago, Illinois, is an American guitarist known for his contributions to blues and jazz. He began playing the guitar at age 18 under the tutelage of Steve Freund. Freund organized a concert tour for Specter with Sam Lay and Hubert Sumlin, marking his early breakthrough. By 1989, Specter had formed his own backing band, the Bluebirds. His debut album Bluebird Blues was released in 1991 on Delmark Records, featuring vocalist Barkin' Bill Smith. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Specter released several albums including Left Turn on Blue, Blues Spoken Here, and Speculatin' showcasing his blend of blues and jazz influences. Notable collaborations include performances with Jesse Fortune, Tad Robinson, and Brother Jack McDuff. Specter has undertaken frequent tours to Europe and beyond, solidifying his presence in the music scene.
