DAVID MENDOZA BIOGRAPHY

From the dance halls to the concert halls, David Mendoza has anchored the rhythm section in countless vocal groups, musical acts, and shows across the United States and throughout Texas.  His hometown of San Antonio provided a breeding ground of musical influences beginning with the hit songs of the 50s/60s, classic and contemporary Rock, Blues, and all styles of Country music.

David's musical education began with piano lessons when he was eight years old.  At the age of twelve he took snare drum lessons to learn the fundamentals of how to play the drumset.  Six months later he  was playing the drums in bands with his schoolmates.  His musical training continued in the high school orchestra at San Antonio Jefferson where he played the tympani, snare drum, and most of other percussion instruments.  In college, he was selected as trap set drummer in the San Antonio Community College Jazz Lab Band while earning an AA in Electronics Technology.  While in college David took his talents to the next level, working as the percussion instructor at Dacbert Music in San Antonio.  His background and versatile drumming abilities soon caught the interest of touring Las Vegas show group "Coco Grove".  The musical styles called for exotic rhythms from Hawaii, Samoa, Jamaica, and Tahiti, as well as performing a variety of dance music between shows.  David traveled the country for several years with Coco Grove, performing shows six nights a week on a multi-year tour of the nation's finest hotels and resorts.

Coco Grove at The Arneson River Theater, San Antonio

After years of touring, David returned to Texas to work with  Elvis impersonator "John Hawk" in his popular 50's & 60's review.  While working the country club circuit, he was introduced to national recording act "The Diamonds" (famous for recording the fabulous 50's hits "Oh Little Darling" and "The Stroll") and was hired to play their Texas engagements.

 The Diamonds

David is currently based in Austin, TX where he works full-time as an independent music educator and freelance drummer.  He personally teaches approximately 100 lessons a month at his Oak Hill Drum Studio.    David is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Percussive Arts Society, and holds an educational endorsement with Vic Firth Drumsticks. He owns and operates DataConnect, an Information Technology services business, and currently works with Austin's elite 80s tribute dance band Airwave80s.

David has worked with many Austin area bands including Austin Music Award winner Jelly Jar, variety dance band Haywire, Country bands Steel Rail, "Les Hartman & Texas Thunder", and singer-songwriter "Shawn Pabst", Tejano singer-songwriter Barbara Payan, Classic Rock with "Legacy" and Code Blue, the Motown sounds of "Love Machine", "Joe Valentine & The Imperials", and many others.  David has shared the stage with recording artists "Larry Gatlin", Ruben Ramos, "Johnny Gimbal", "Kinky Friedman", "Rusty Weir", and has performed in concert opening for national acts such as "BB King", "Gary Stewart", and "Ray Price".  David's musical styles include classic and contemporary Rock, Country, R&B, Soul, Pop, Light Jazz, Blues, 40s/50s/60s/70s/80s classics, and more. 

David offers private drum lessons by appointment and is available for studio recordings and live performances.  He can be reached at 512-964-6778 or via email david@oakhilldrumstudio.com