David Gossage is one of Montreal’s most respected and experienced musicians. 

Once cited by the Montreal Gazette as “Montreal’s secret weapon,” multi-instrumentalist David switches from flute to guitar, whistles and harmonica  with ease and in virtually all styles of music. 

He attended the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and later received his degree from Concordia in Montreal specializing in theory and composition. Over the years David has played in all styles of music including African, classical, rock and funk, but he is probably best known for his jazz and Celtic playing. He has headed his own groups in both these styles and is considered one of the pioneers of the acid jazz scene here in Montreal hosting the weekly SQUEEZE Nights at the Metropolis and opening for Jamiroquai, KRS-One and M’Shell Ndegeocello to name a few. David worked extensively with rap musicians in the mid 90s and continues to be called for session work in this style as well as others. 

Considered one of Montreal’s best flute players his list of sessions is impressive. It ranges from The Shalabi Effect, Michel Rivard, Natalie Simard, Kevin Parent, Paul Piché, Go Van Gogh, Cirque du Soleil, Brendan Nolan, Liquid, and many National Film Board and Canadian Broadcasting Company film, radio, T.V. studio sessions and live concert recordings. 

As a composer and arranger, David has worked in theater, film and poetry. He recently completed a CD of all original music for the poetry of Montreal Spoken Word poet Rae Marie Taylor and previously, for Mathew Von Baeyer in a CD featuring the poetry of E.E. Cummings, Pablo Neruda, W.B.Yeats and many other celebrated poets. He has worked extensively as an arranger at the National Film Board and his arrangements for the animated short When the Day Breaks won a Gemini, the jury prize at the Cannes Film Festival, and was nominated for an Oscar as was his arrangements for the animated short “Wildlife” His flute can also be heard on the Gemini-award winning Fast Runner soundtrack. 

David also does production and arranging work for video games as well as CD’s.He was musical producer on Assassins Creed 3.4 and 5,as well as Assassins Creed Rogue. His arrangements and recordings of the Sea Shanties in Assassins Creed Black Flag was number 3 on in iTunes sales in 2013 

In Celtic music along with world renown fiddler Johnny Cunningham he produced the Juno nominated “Night Visions” album by Orealis. With the group Orealis, David has toured extensively with shows from Halifax to Vancouver and much of the northern United States. He has given both flute and whistle workshops in all major Canadian folk festivals (Winnipeg, Edmonton, Vancouver, Dawson City, Ottawa etc.) The band has also opened up for the Waterboys, the Pogues, Runrig, Kate and Anna Mcgarrigle, to name a few and shared the stage with the Tannahill Weavers, Solas, The Oyster Band and Great Big Sea, who opened for them regularly before becoming well-known. 

David currently tours with his new band Dave Gossage and the Celtic Mindwarp as well as the Juno award winning Paperboys and Land of Kush, on Constellation Records (Godspeed You! Black Emperor). He has played in North American venues from New Mexico to New York City and from Louisiana to the Baffin Islands and all over Europe. David also teaches Jazz at the Schulich School of Music at Mcgill and Concordia University. 

There is no doubt as a Celtic/Jazz flute player David has made his mark. His virtuosity continues to marvel the crowds he plays for on the festival circuit both in Europe and North America, as well as in the pubs and jazz clubs of Montreal.