MP3 Dan Germain - Amid Summer´s Swing

Bebop Jazz

9 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Bebop, EASY LISTENING: Background Music



Details:
Pursuing a playing career as a jazz musician is not always easy. Sporadic gigs, an endless list of songs to learn, a musician merry-go-round, and not much pay. Finding alternative formats to gain exposure as an artist is essential. After graduating from college, I needed to make a strong push to make a musical name for myself. I realized beyond performing, I had to have a CD. Hopefully what you are hearing now is a song from my latest jazz record. It is a musical effort that features some of my favorite jazz tunes and some of the best musicians I have ever met and had an opportunity to play alongside. Beyond a medium to gain personal exposure, the CD is an acoustic documentation of an unconditional outpouring of musical talent, idea's and gifts from myself and three of my closest friends! I forever thank the musicians who created these musical moments as they are some of my favorite moments as a musician. For the time you are visiting, I hope that you enjoy the music!!

Bio:

Born August 12th, 1984 in Boston, MA, drummer Dan Germain is an exciting musician combining a musical vocabulary rooted in his extensive study of the time-honored jazz language with a creative approach that has his sound being recognized with plenty of potential. At just 22 years old, Dan has performed with some of Bostonâs finest musicians including bassist Bob Nieske and pianist Joe Mulholland, both of whom appear on Danâs first and most recent recording effort, "Amid Summer's Swing".

At age 11, after a brief study of trumpet, Dan began playing snare drum in his school band. Shortly thereafter, he began studying drum set with an outstanding local drummer named Brian Kelley. During that time Dan found his inspiration in bands like Led Zeppelin, Dave Matthews Band and Steely Dan, leading him to play in an assortment of rock and funk bands throughout middle school and high school. During his playing days in high school, in an attempt to broaden his versatility, he began playing jazz in the school jazz band and ultimately went on to win two first place awards for âBest Rhythm Sectionâ at two national music festivals with that group. Graduating high school having won the John Phillip Sousa award for âOutstanding Musicianshipâ, Dan was looking forward to continuing his musical studies at Berklee College of Music where he had been accepted in the spring of his senior year in high school.

It was during his four-year study of music at Berklee where he met professor Rick Considine who truly introduced Dan to jazz music. Dan began an extensive study of drumming legends like Philly Joe Jones, Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Vinnie Ruggiero, Steve Gadd, and Bill Stewart all who remain his favorite drummers today. Playing at Berklee, Dan found his interests in the music of Miles Davis, Art Pepper, John Coltrane, Stan Getz, Sonny Rollins, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea to name a few. Dan formed many great relationships with musicians at Berklee, but it was a relationship outside of Berklee that reinforced his education and provided many of the musical opportunities that he has had.

When Dan met Bob Nieske, a composer, top upright bass player in Boston, Ma and artist in residence at Brandeis University, he and a close friend who played guitar asked Nieske to teach both of them jazz at the same time in a unique trio format. Without hesitation, Nieske accepted the proposition and a strong friendship both musical and personal was born that led to Dan performing with Nieske on gigs and in studio.

Dan graduated Summa Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music in May 2006 with Bachelorâs degree in professional music. Dan just released his first jazz CD entitled âAmid Summerâs Swingâ in 2007. He looks to continue expanding on his playing career and most importantly exploring the potential of the instrument he loves.