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 Dan
Reynolds
Dan
Reynolds began piano lessons at age 7. His career in music began when, at age
13, his ability to play by ear caught the attention of blues harmonicist Tommy
Giblin. Soon Dan was playing the blues with bandmates twice his age at legendary
Washington, DC area clubs such as the Psyche Delly, the Childe Harold, and Mr.
Henry’s. He kept up his classical studies while “payin’ his dues” on the blues
club and festival circuit and, by age 18, he found that jazz offered the best of
both worlds.
While studying jazz at the University of Maryland, he began performing regularly
with DC-based jazz greats such as Marshall Keys, Ron Holloway, Keter Betts,
Scott Ambush, Vinny Valentino, & Keith Killgo of the Blackbyrds.
Following his graduation from University of Maryland with a piano performance
degree in 1987, Dan hit the road for the next 4 years with Tim Eyermann’s East
Coast Offering, with whom he recorded two albums on Blue Moon Records (“Jazz on
L”, and “Outside, Inside”, on which Dan’s composition & smooth jazz hit “The
Door” appears).
Dan has gone on to work with a long list of jazz luminaries such as Eddie
Harris, Larry Coryell, Najee, Maysa and Ken Navarro (with whom he toured &
recorded with for 3 years). He can be heard on many recordings from artists such
as Grainger, Brazilian fusion group Origem, Al Williams, Dani Cortaza, Patrick
DeSantos, and The Meritxell Project.
Dan’s first three recordings as a leader, “Never Alone” (1993), “Lifeline”
(1994), & “To Be Sure” (2000) received high acclaim from such publications as
Jazz Times, Jazziz, and New Sounds. “Everything is cool, funky, romantic,
pristine, bright, soulful, windy, and beautiful”, writes Richard Isen of Dan’s
music.
Dan’s new recording, “River Maiden”, features a stellar supporting cast
including Greg and Gary Grainger (Acoustic Alchemy), Marshall Keys, Al Williams,
& Scott Ambush (Spyrogyra).
Dan Reynolds - To Be
Sure
Listening to Dan
Reynolds 3rd album To Be Sure is comparable to a dinner in a first-rate
restaurant. The courses are exquisite and full-bodied. You will not find a
fish-bone. The sound is just perfect and without edges. So sit down and revel in
the deliciousnesses.
Cowbells introduce into the starter From The Top pleasuring your fastidious
palate. Dan Reynolds piano and keyboards sounds caress and flatter your ears.
Incredible perfectly played and arranged in a smooth way.
The same lightness and skillfullness presents the second arrangement The Answer.
Remarkable Brian Lanier's alto sax play giving Dan's sparkling piano sounds a
taste of cream.
Delafield Place is the right platform to Vinny Valentino's work of guitar art.
What a great harmony of instrumentals! Anew the perfect palace tickle.
Let's luxuriate further in To Be Sure. Al Williams - soprano sax, Gary Grainger
at bass and drums and Alejandro Lucini are preparing the next delightful meal in
a masterful manner.
With my friends presents Dawn Robinson superb vocals suported by Brian Lanier .
Superior is his empathy and sensibility following Dawn 's soulful voice.
Undoubtly great additions are Dan Reynold's keyboard and Wayne Bruce guitar play.
A funky but still smooth break is Deep Freeze. Gary Grainger leads in on bass
guitar followed by Dan 's keyboard sounds. Outstanding is Brian Lanier's solo
soprano sax duet. The whole piece is perfectly composed and arranged by the
genious Dan Reynolds.
Boogoo in Brazil is a reminiscence to the Brazilian Samba world. Yes, Dan, Samba
is your home too. Marshall Keys elegant alto sax play is well-fitted with a
bunch of percussion sounds.
More contemplative and dreamy is One Night In A Storm giving anew Vinny
Valentino the opportunity to present his skillfulness in guitar play occompanied
by Dan and Marshall.
Dark Horse illustrates again Dan Reynold attentive and accurate arrangements and
compositions. The interplay is impeccable and at a superiour level.
Three steps is the delicious desert particularly for the friends of funky piano
and organ sounds. Dan Reynolds is an expert of piano art and belongs to the top
of the Smooth Jazz genre. If you are a friend of Smooth Jazz, listen to his
album. You will not resist the seduction of his masterwork.
© HBH
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