The Dave Matthews Band (DMB) is an American rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. The band consists of vocalist/guitarist Dave Matthews, drummer Carter Beauford, saxophonist LeRoi Moore (until his death in 2008), bassist Stefan Lessard, violinist Boyd Tinsley (until his departure from the band in 2018) and keyboardist Buddy Strong (since 2018).
DMB developed a unique style of “jamming” where they would improvise lengthy live versions of their songs, often with extended instrumental solos. Their live performances became legendary and helped them build a devoted fanbase that would follow the band wherever they went.
The band released its first studio album “Under the Table and Dreaming” in 1994, which featured hit singles such as “What Would You Say” and “Ants Marching”. Their subsequent albums, “Crash” (1996) and “Before These Crowded Streets” (1998), were also commercial successes, earning the band multiple Grammy nominations.
Their music is a blend of rock, jazz, and world music, featuring saxophone and violin solos, as well as intricate and layered percussion. Despite the loss of Moore and Tinsley, DMB continues to tour and release new music, with their latest album “Come Tomorrow” debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in 2018.
DMB has been recognized for their philanthropic efforts, most notably with their Bama Works Fund, which has raised over $52 million to support charity organizations in Virginia and across the country. In 1999, the band also founded the Dave Matthews Band Eco Initiative, which works to minimize the environmental impact of their tours and promote sustainability practices.
With a career spanning over three decades, DMB remains one of the most influential and successful bands in rock history with a die-hard fanbase that continues to support them year after year.