BIOGRAPHY | |||||||||
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With his many critically acclaimed award-winning recordings and live performances, Daniel Smith is the most recorded bassoon soloist in the world, with a repertoire spanning music from jazz to classical and crossover. As the only bassoonist performing and recording in both jazz and classical, his unique career has been profiled in numerous publications throughout the world; described by critics as the 'Gerry Mulligan of the Bassoon' in the world of jazz and the 'Rampal of the Bassoon' in the world of classical music.
In the world of classical music, Daniel Smith's historic box set of the complete 37 Vivaldi bassoon concertos was chosen as 'Best Concerto Recording of the Year' by the Music Industry Association.
His highly acclaimed jazz albums Bebop Bassoon and The Swingin' Bassoon (Zah Zah) were followed by Blue Bassoon and Bassoon Goes Latin Jazz! (Summit). Other recordings of Daniel Smith can be found on Vox, MHS, KemDisc, Pearl, Spectrum, Cambria, Regis, Crystal and Forum.
Noteworthy performances include premieres of Gunther Schuller's 'Concerto for Contrabassoon and Orchestra', Steve Gray's 'Jazz Suite for Bassoon and Orchestra' and Robert Farnon's jazz-oriented 'Bassoon Concerto'. Smith has presented solo concerts at New York's Lincoln Center and the Tivoli Concert Hall in Copenhagen. His many recordings are heard throughout the world on jazz and classical radio stations, National Public Radio in the USA and on major airlines for in-flight listening. Daniel is also featured with leading book and record clubs and the Muzak network.
Daniel Smith was voted a 'Rising Star' by the Downbeat critics poll and nominated twice by the Jazz Journalists Association as finalist for their 'Player of the Year' award in the category of 'Instruments Rare in Jazz'. He had earlier been chosen as 'Ambassador for the Bassoon' in Great Britain.
Recent performances with his jazz quartet 'Bassoon and Beyond' include appearances in NYC at Puppets Jazz Club, Caffe Vivaldi, The Tea Lounge, The Kitano Jazz Club, the Brooklyn Conservatory Concert Hall and at Barge Music. Others were in Washington, DC at Twins Jazz Club and in Germany to a capacity audience at the Summerwinds Festival.
In 2012, Universal Music will be re-releasing his classical and crossover albums on digital for downloading on the Internet. Daniel Smith will also premiere Brazilian composer Joao MacDowell's 'Brazilian Jazz Concerto for Bassoon and Chamber Orchestra'.
| “...the Rampal or André of the bassoon...Daniel Smith is a phenomenon!” “At last! The bassoon enters into the world of jazz...for real.” “Daniel Smith shows that the bassoon can not only make convincing jazz but that it can make sounds of great beauty too. Go and hear him! This is a unique voice in jazz.” “Congratulations to (Daniel) Smith are in order for achieving what no other bassoonist has yet attempted on disc...” “...virtuoso Daniel Smith shows that he can make the bassoon dance like Gerry Mulligan's baritone sax.” “This is enjoyably spontaneous music making.” “His plaintive sound and deep doleful tone bring a new dimension to many of the classic modern jazz compositions.” “I have no hesitation in stating that the bassoon has no better champion than Daniel Smith.” “Aside from being a wonderful bassoonist, Daniel Smith has the knack for pulling many musical styles together and making them sound very natural on the bassoon.” | ||
| Details of Daniel's career, performances and recordings can also be found at: |
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