David studied composition at Northwestern University. He went on to play trumpet with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and performed with a number of other orchestras around the world. He conducted his own compositions with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, and the Berkeley Symphony. He collaborated with Leonard Bernstein and Jan Pierce. During the 60's he even played with rock groups including the warm-up band of Janis Joplin at Woodstock. David released three albums during his life, among them one was played by London Brass and another by Israel Brass.