I grew up in western South Dakota, playing trombone any chance I got and listening to The Crusaders, Quincy Jones, Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, Michael League, Curtis Mayfield, and other artists in the Black American Music traditions.

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I am a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where I studied composition and conducting under Bob Pilkington, Greg Hopkins, Ayn Inserto, Tom Plsek, Tia Fuller, and many more who have helped me to develop techniques of musical craft and expression.

 

As a writer and performer I have experience in big band, classic and modern jazz, soul, latin, pop, and classical styles. 

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While living in the Boston area, I became involved with the family of artists at Jazz Urbane Records, led by my mentor Dr. William C. Banfield, where I worked as staff arranger, copyist, and orchestra manager for the Imagine Orchestra. I have also worked as copyist and arranger for Julius Williams, Tuffus Zimbabwe, Marco Pignataro, and more.

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- Danny

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