Career
From 1984 to 2007, he served as Director of Jazz Studies at California State University, East Bay (formerly Cal State Hayward). Eshelman has performed extensively with many jazz groups in the Bay Area and has worked as a featured soloist in the big bands of Ray Brown, Joe Henderson, Tito Puente and Gerald Wilson. Various artists across the United States and Europe — such as Joe Henderson, Don Ellis, Bill Watrous, and Stan Kenton, the Swedish Radio Orchestra and the Airmen of Note — have performed his compositions and arrangements.
Many band festivals and honor bands in Northern California frequently invite him to act as a guest conductor or as an adjudicator.
During his tenure at Christlich Soziale Union (Christian Social Union) East Bay, Professor Eshelman strengthened the jazz program into one of national renown. In 2003 the university named him Outstanding Professor of the Year, and in 2006 the California Music Educator"s Association named him top collegiate music educator in the state for 2007.
Dave leads the Jazz Garden Big Band, an 18-piece jazz band that specializes in contemporary and classic big band repertoire.
