Artist description Percussionist and composer dedicated to continuing the legacy of America's "classical" music -- jazz.

Musical Influences The Art Ensemble of Chicago, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, McCoy Tyner, Billy Harper, Cecil Taylor, Stravinsky, Bartok, Andrew Cyrille, Frank Zappa, Giovanni Hidalgo

Artist History VOTED ONE OF THE 10 TOP RISING PERCUSSION STARS IN THE AUGUST MONTH OF DOWNBEAT. Bronx, native Daniel Sadownick earned a Master's Degree in Musical Education at New York University, where he also studied composition. He then went on to study privately with percussion masters Andrew Cyrille, John Amira and the late, great Frankie Malabe. After graduating, Mr. Sadownick toured with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra for two years. It was here that Daniel made numerous contacts that would lead to tours and recordings with jazz greats such as: Michael Brecker, Nat Adderley, Dianne Reeves, Dennis Chambers, Christian McBride, Nicholas Payton, Richard Bona, Nnenna Freelon, Nestor Torres, Vinx, Dewey Redman and Roy Ayers. A versatile percussionist that does not limit himself to one genre, Daniel has spent the last few years touring and recording with such pop and R&B artists as: Jennifer Lopez, Billy Idol, Bonnie Raitt, Me'shell Ndege'Ocello, Natalie Merchant, Angie Stone, Tony, Toni Tone', Maxwell, Alana Davis, Angelique Kidjo and P.M. Dawn. Daniel is also a member of the New York based cult band the Screaming Headless Torsos, who were listed as one of the top ten bands in America in the February 1996 issue of Musician Magazine. Recently, Daniel premiered his own project, which is called Function Over Structure. It features all original compositions as well as showcasing the utilization of percussion in a "straight-ahead jazz context." Daniel feels that percussion in jazz at this present stage seems to be limited to a certain style that does not included all the possibilities of the instruments. "I want to include all my influences when I play jazz. That runs the gamut from the Art Ensemble of Chicago to Joe Zawinul; from Cannonball Adderley to Frank Zappa. These musicians were torchbearers and pioneers. "I hope that my contributions make a statement that is parallel to these exceptional artists. They were consistent in their commitment to bring passion, intensity, and soul to their music," states Daniel. Daniel also teaches private studies in percussion and is a faculty member of New York University. Daniel states that "Living in New York City is a blessing. Being a cultural center one has access to the many different peoples and music that cover the range of the globe; jazz, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, rock, fusion, R&B -- it's all here in this beautiful city. I feel lucky to have been born and raised here. Daniel plays and endorses LP instruments, Paiste cymbals and Vic Firth sticks.

Instruments Percussion

Albums (Pop & R&B) Steely Dan -- Two Against Nature; Angie Stone -- Mahogany Soul; Me'shell Ndege'Ocello -- Bitter and Peace Beyond Passion; Maxwell -- Embrya; Musiq Soulchild --Aijuswanaseing; Incognito -- Life Stranger Than Fiction; Screaming Headless Torsos -- 1995 and Live at the Knitting Factory; Toshi Reagon -- Toshi; Syleena Johnson -- Chapter 1: Love, Pain & Forgiveness; Betty -- Limboland; (Jazz) Michael Brecker -- Wide Angles; Nicholas Payton -- Sonic Trance; Christian McBride -- Veritcal Horizon; George Coleman -- Danger High Voltage; Dewey Redman -- African Venus; Carl Allen -- Testimonial; Kevin Hayes -- Go Round; Nestor Torres -- This Side of Paradise and Mi Alma Latina: My Latin Soul; Steve Wilson -- Step Lively; Carolyn Leonhart -- Steal The Moon

Location New York, New York - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).