David Ganc began his musical journey in the 1970s as a member of the cult band A Barca do Sol, which released three albums, the first of which was produced by Egberto Gismonti. Following the band's disbandment in 1980, David relocated to the United States, where he graduated from Berklee College of Music in 1984 with a degree in Professional Music. He also obtained a diploma in Classical Flute from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Upon returning to Brazil, he quickly established himself as a highly sought-after studio musician, contributing to prominent projects such as Caetano Veloso's "Livro" (which won a Grammy Award in 2000) and "A Foreign Sound" (2003), Djavan's Songbook (1995), Gal Costa's "Sings Chico and Caetano - Mina D'Água" (1994), and works by Beto Guedes ("Dias de Paz" - 1998), Alceu Valença (1997), Paulo Moura (1988), Luiz Melodia (1991), Nivaldo Ornelas (1990), Olivia Byington (1978 and 1980), Moraes Moreira (1994), Simone (1995), Alcione (1996/97/99), Cássia Eller (1999), and Chico Buarque’s Songbook (1999), as well as Elba Ramalho's "Solar" (1999), among many others. His extensive contributions exceed over 150 CDs and LPs.
David's work can also be found on "Contemporary Instrumental Music from Brazil," featuring Nando Carneiro (Windham Hill, 1993), "Contemporary Brazilian Woodwind Players," a compilation of Brazil’s finest woodwind musicians released by Visom Digital (1994), and "Os Bambas Da Flauta" ("Flute Masters") from Kuarup Records (2003), which showcases leading Brazilian flute players.
In a notable highlight of his career, David was specially appointed by the Festival’s organizing committee to perform in Stevie Wonder's orchestra during the 10th edition of the Free Jazz Festival in Rio and São Paulo (1995). He also participated in the Free Jazz Festival in 1999 with Vittor Santos’s Orchestra and again in 2001 with The Temptations. In 2001, he performed at the Mellon Jazz Festival at the Manchester Craftmen’s Guild in Pittsburgh, USA, and took part in the Concert Tones of Nature, a tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim, featuring compositions by Flavio Chamis and artists such as Eliane Elias and Marc Johnson. For six years, he collaborated with singer Elba Ramalho, engaging in numerous recording sessions and concerts across Brazil, the United States, France, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Mexico, Uruguay, and Switzerland, including a performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1999.
David has also been featured in concerts and television presentations alongside notable artists like João Bosco, Emílio Santiago, Tim Maia, Nelson Gonçalves, Tim Rescala, Zé Ramalho, Geraldo Azevedo, Olivia Byington, and many others, as well as performing with the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra and Brasília’s Symphony Orchestra.
In 1996, David released his debut solo album, "Brazilian Ballads," through Brazilian label Leblon Records and French label Buda Records, which saw worldwide distribution. This album showcases his interpretations of Brazilian standards with original arrangements for strings and woodwinds.
His second solo CD, "Caldo de Cana," released by Kuarup Records in 2000, highlights David's dedication to the flute, featuring a repertoire infused with a sophisticated Brazilian essence. The album includes his own compositions as well as pieces by Geraldo Vandré, Tom Jobim, Nivaldo Ornelas, and Nando Carneiro, all enhanced by original arrangements and contributions from a distinguished group of Brazilian instrumentalists.
David’s third project, "David Ganc & Quarteto de Cordas Guerra Peixe interpret Tom Jobim," released by Kuarup Records in 2004, was nominated for the TIM Prize in 2005 for Best Instrumental Group. This album pays tribute to the legendary Brazilian composer by presenting original arrangements for flute/sax and string quartet, blending classical elements with Brazilian musical styles and exploring a lesser-known aspect of Jobim's work: his chamber music compositions.
In 2005, David collaborated with Mário Sève on a choro CD titled “Pixinguinha + Benedito,” released by Núcleo Contemporâneo in São Paulo, where the two musicians celebrate the legacy of this iconic duo through their performances on saxophone and flute.
