Daniel Sadownick

Daniel Sadownick grew up in the South Bronx and always knew he wanted to be a musician since the age of five. It was in his teens however, that he really started to take his career choice seriously. Daniel recalls his first fond memories of really immersing himself in the history of jazz. “I was in high school listening to the progressive pop music of the day (Jethro Tull, Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, Yes, etc.,) when a friend of mine approached me in the hallway at school and gave me ten different jazz recordings to take home, ranging from Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers’ Moanin’ to John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme. I remember the manner in which just the cover of A Love Supreme hit me – Trane looking so serious and intense. And, of course when I listened to the record that evening the music just blew me away. Later that week, my friend helped me take all of my rock records to the roof of the thirty-three story building we lived in and we threw them off like they were Frisbees and also blew them up with a C02 Cartridge BB Gun he had. I’ll never forget that turning point in my life”.Daniel would then later go on to earn his Master’s Degree in Musical Education at New York University, where he also studied composition. Upon completing his studies, his Professors and Deans admired his creativity and ingenuity and rewarded him with the prestigious Presser Scholarship, only handed out to the one person whom the University felt was the most influential and original at the school during their tenure. Daniel states, “I was shocked, thinking that they would have given the scholarship to a violinist or pianist who was classically trained since childhood. It was then that I knew that I was blessed with a special gift from God and wanted to make a difference with my music in all aspects; artistically, emotionally and spiritually”.Amid his studies 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, Dennis Chambers, Nicholas Payton, Christian McBride, Richard Bona, Nat Adderley, Dianne Reeves, Nnenna Freelon, Dewey Redman and many others.A versatile percussionist that does not limit himself to one genre, Daniel has spent the last few years touring and recording with such diverse artists as: Steely Dan, Jennifer Lopez, Billy Idol, Tony, Toni Tone’, and the Screaming Headless Torsos.Daniel will soon be releasing his long awaited CD. 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 instrument. "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. When I would go to see and hear the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Cecil Taylor, Tony Williams, McCoy Tyner, Andrew Cyrille and others of this incredible caliber perform they would be so serious, conscious, and intense in bringing this art form to life in the highest regard. This is the only way that I want to carry myself. It has to be an event – if not, why even show up?”Daniel Sadownick plays and endorses: Latin Percussion drums and accessories Paiste cymbals, gongs and accessories Vic Firth drumsticks I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace) I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)