Cross-inspired by the music of Erik Satie and the precision-randomness paradox of quantum physics and infused with creative improvised music, jazz, and psychedelic '70s and '80s rock, Velvet Gentlemen is an earful experience.

11 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Weird Jazz, JAZZ: Jazz Fusion



Details:
Dan Willis Bio 2006

Dan Willis, one of New York Cityâs most active and versatile woodwind specialists, performs regularly across a wide spectrum of music from Jazz to New Music. He is currently a member of composer, David Chesky's âArea 31,â (Grammy Nominated) which Classics Today defines as, "A new modern downtown Manhattan chamber ensemble of all young star virtuosos." And, recently, Dan served as a featured performer on traditional Armenian folk double-reed instruments, the Dukuk and the Zurna, at the New York premiere of âStrophes,â a work composed and conducted by Yakov Koslov. Both of these endeavors attest to the rich vocabulary within Danâs musical language. . In addition to his work in the classical genre, he has toured Japan and the U.S. with Michael Brecker's Grammy winning Ensemble 'Quindectet', toured with Don Henley, and arranged for Pretty Boy as well as Bone, Thug and Harmony. Dan is also a member of the Grammy Nominated John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble and recently recorded on the Duduk as a featured artist for the new Rob Thomas solo CD single âAll That I Am.â(Grammy Nominated) As a much sought after woodwind doubler, Dan has played on ten Broadway Cast Recordings and will be soon performing in the Broadway Musical, "Legally Blonde"

Mr. Willisâ work can also be heard on T.V jingles for E-Bay, Snapple and Hershey's, as well as âMonday Night Football,â Nick Jr.'s, âThe Backyardigans," "Little Einstein's", and ESPNâs Roger Maris documentary. On the big screen, Dan has contributed to the film scores for Joe Gould's Secret and the 2005 Tribeca Film Festival's critically acclaimed, The American Ruling Class and has performed as a featured extra in the motion picture, Mona Lisa Smile. Dan is also a frequent collaborator to the Baby Einstein Classical Music Educational Series performing on Flute, Oboe, English Horn and Clarinet. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Dan studied the Oboe with Dr. Richard Killmer, Jazz with Bill Dobbins and Ramon Ricker, and arranging with Rayburn Wright. Mr. Willis has just completed his third solo CD, 'Velvet Gentlemen' (OmniTone) 2006 where Dan recorded seven different instruments including the Suona and the Zurna.