FunKyDMusic

View my online E.P.K. for samples of my drumming and more!
For more than three decades Danny has been in constant pursuit of the groove. It began back when he was about 8 years old, beating on cardboard boxes with a pair of sticks, and almost thirty years later things haven’t really changed that much. Danny’s first major influence was his older cousin, Brian Morgan. Brian, although only starting high school at the time, was already fast becoming a great percussionist when Danny started playing drum kit, and he helped to shape Danny’s perceptions of groove and time at an early age. Over the years Danny has attempted to continue on from the starting base that Brian gave him, that is to keep the groove above all else, and to listen and play musically.
In 1988 Danny began attending Eastern Kentucky University, where he studied under world famous percussionist, Dr. Rob James. It was while studying percussion with Dr. James that he began to branch out and discover the many other dimensions of drumming including jazz, funk, latin as well as world percussion. Dr. James also introduced Danny to the world of MIDI and heavily encouraged his growing passion for electronic music. While in college he had numerous playing experiences ranging from Percussion Ensemble to Orchestra and Marching Band. As word got out about his kit playing, Danny began to be asked to sit in with many different groups and ensembles, both in the music department and outside as well. Danny got into jazz and quickly became the hand percussionist in the E.K.U. Jazz Ensemble I, as well as the drum kit player in Jazz Ensemble II. Since college Danny has spent time equally among playing, teaching, and still taking lessons from time to time.
In the summer of 2004 Danny left his home state of Kentucky for New Hampshire. Both to help long time music companion Gregg Henninger with a new project as well as wanting to take a step back from the live music scene and refocus his playing and mindset. He also welcomed the chance to invest some much wanted time into his own electronic compositions which spawned his 2005 solo album “Tales From Funkographic Potions.” (Written, recorded and mixed by Danny during a very cold 28 days in January.) During this time he also began to teach much more than before and focused on helping others better their own playing while searching for his own balance and groove.
Over his career Danny has played in every setting from rock, metal and blues to funk, jazz & psychedelic (even a little country now and then.) Also refusing to limit his listening habits, Danny enjoys everything from Miles Davis to Critters Buggin’ to Mr. Bungle and beyond. It is this vast background which he draws upon to create his own unique sound. A blend of Old School funk and jazz with the attitude and chops of a metal drummer (think John Bonham meets Steely Dan.) But it doesn’t end there, Danny is a self proclaimed mixed media musician, taking elements of modern day technology such as samples and synths and combining them with the acoustic drums from a hybrid acoustic-electric kit known simply as “The Time Machine.” Equally at home on acoustic or electronic percussion, Danny has also become an accomplished Zendrum player, jamming and recording with numerous projects.
Current Projects:
Bob Grenier's Northbound Train - Southern NH
Gregg Henninger Derry, NH
Mark Zamcheck and Chris Beuscher - Boston, MA (Danny plays Zendrum)
Bands of Note:
Soupbone - Blues, 1990-1992
Weird Harold - College Rock, 1992 - 1994
Blue Honey - Rock & Metal, 1994 - 1999, Album “Nine Days Wonder”
Witchazel - Progressive Metal, 1999 - 2000, Album “Witchazel”
Astrolyte - Jam Jazz Hip-Hop, 2000 - 2003, Albums “3 Piece Snack”
The Eclectric Company - Live Rave and Dance - 2001 - 2003, Album “iOur (LIVE)"
Gregg Henninger - Acoustic, 2001 - present, Albums “Gregg Henninger”, “Something Simple”
The Joint Chiefs - Jam Jazz Progressive, 2003 - 2004, Album “LIVE on WFPK”
The Louisville Merry Pranksters - Jam & Classic, 2003 - 2004
Zongo - Jam Jazz, 2003 - 2004
Mark Zamcheck and Chris Beuscher - Piano and Bass Duo, 2006 - 2007
The Steve Bello Band, 2007
Solo Works:
LCD Backflashes - 2001
4th and M.L.K. Blvd. - 2003
Tales From Funkographic Potions - 2005
A Week In The Life (E.P.) - 2006
Street Shoe Goulash (E.P.) - 2007 (fall)
Equipment List:
Acoustic Kit - Drum Workshop Collectors Series Exotic in Curly Maple w/ Dark Red Fade
Hardware - All Drum Workshop 9000 series on a 3 sided D.W. rack with a D.W. Double Pedal
Cymbals - All Paiste 2002's
Sticks - Vic Firth 8DN plus various Vic Firth Tympani and keyboard mallets
Zendrum ZX MIDI Percussion Controller (worn like a guitar and played with fingers)
Mac iBook
Other toys range from and old Moog named R2 to a circuit bent Speak & Math