David C. Fague, M. Music

David Fague launched his professional music career in 1997 with the Spokane Jazz Orchestra while still a student at Gonzaga University. During that time, he was also an active performer in the local jazz scene, playing regularly with the Sharp Five Jazztet and various other ensembles.

He continued his musical journey at the University of North Texas, where he performed and recorded with a wide range of groups, including the UNT Jazz Singers, Jazz Repertory Band, Classical Saxophone Quartets, the renowned Two O’Clock Lab Band, and the Grammy-nominated One O’Clock Lab Band. In addition to his academic ensembles, David played with several professional big bands and combos throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He also spent two summers performing in Disney’s prestigious All-American College Band, backing legendary musicians such as John Clayton, Shelley Berg, Bill Watrous, and Gary Foster.

After earning his master’s degree in jazz studies from UNT in 2004, David returned to Gonzaga University, where he took on the role of Director of Jazz Studies and led the Gonzaga Pep Band—a position he held for 20 years before stepping down in April 2024. He is a passionate educator in both classroom and ensemble settings, and remains an active performer in the Spokane music community, playing bass and saxophone in a variety of genres including jazz, funk, country, and blues.

Outside of music, David is a dedicated husband and father of three. When he’s not teaching or performing, you’ll likely find him adventuring with his family—whether on a hydrofoil, in a river, on a ski slope, at a lake, hiking a trail, or exploring the ocean.