David Feder

David Feder is a guitarist, composer, and community advocate whose musical journey has been shaped by a lifelong passion for creativity and exploration. Raised in the Buffalo, New York area, David began studying piano at a young age and took up guitar at five, performing publicly by age eleven. Although he pursued a career in engineering for two decades, music remained a constant presence in his life. After relocating to the Florida Keys in 1980, David immersed himself in the region’s unique culture, balancing his work in electronics and communications with his growing musical pursuits. He formed the Saltwater Blues Band, blending blues, jazz, and original compositions inspired by the people and stories of the Keys. Over time, he developed a distinctive style that drew from a wide range of influences, including Latin and flamenco traditions. David has been deeply committed to supporting music in his community, founding the Bay Jam fundraiser to benefit music education and helping establish a local amphitheater that has become a cultural hub. In his NAMM Oral History interview, conducted in 2026, he reflected on his diverse career and enduring belief in music’s power to inspire and bring people together.