FAQS
What horns does Dan play?
I play a King Super 20 tenor sax, with a early 90's Otto Link. I also play a Yamaha soprano, usually with a Selmer C*.
Why does Dan wear a neck brace when he plays/performs?
I had a neck injury early in my playing career called a laryngocele. I've had two major surgeries on my neck for other health issues, so I'm very grateful wearing a brace has been a viable work around for so many years.
In recent years, I've made a lot of adjustments to my embouchure and air flow and am often able to play without a neck brace.
Who has Dan studied with?
Probably too many great people to name... Starting with my early school teachers Gary Flowers, Gary Snyder, and my sax teacher Heath Krieger in Arizona. This led me to play a lot of gigs from a very early age (salsa band gigs and later a great fusion band called Modern Sessions lead by keyboardist Billy Townes) starting from the tender age of 12! These experiences were a school all of their own.
At Berklee College/Boston, William Paterson University (then College), and being in the NY city area, I studied with saxophonist Bill Pierce, saxophonist Joe Lovano, pianist Barry Harris, and saxophonist Benny Golson for extended lengths of time.
I'm truly grateful for all of my long-term teachers and the many others who have taught me big and small tricks for the never ending musical bag of tricks along the way. The learning never ends... My apologies if I leave anyone out!
Where has Dan studied formally?
I started at Berklee College of Music in Boston. It was a great time to be there, with so many great musicians at Berklee and in Boston: Mark Turner, Joshua Redman, Shamus Blake, Igor Butman, Delfeayo Marsalis, Kenny Rampton, Chris Cheek, Antonio Hart, Geoffrey Keezer!!!... And this is truly a very short list... It was truly an electric and inspiring environment.
After a few semesters, I transferred to William Paterson University (then College). That was much smaller, but also near to NYC, and also packed with great players, many of them on the professional music scene today, too. I received a BA in Jazz Performance from William Paterson.
Later, I went back to school for an MA in Jazz History and Research from Rutgers University/Newark. I also hold an MBA from SUNY Polytechnic Institute.
I'm very grateful to have the experiences in life that have led me to believe that school learning and life learning are very different, but both offer tremendously valuable learning and insights.