Jazz musician Derwin Daniels grew up in a rhythmic environment. As a toddler, the Southeast Texas native recalls listening to his father, older brothers and sisters playing a variety of instruments and singing as he and a younger sibling waited in the wings. Soon after, at age 4, Daniels scooted to the piano and taught himself to play Satin Doll by ear. “To be honest, I have vague recollection of this, yet it’s a story my mother has recounted many times over the years,” he laughs.
While in grade school, Daniels started out on the clarinet, but later followed the lead of his youngest brother Vernon who today travels the world as a drummer. For himself, as a teenager, Daniels played drums behind blues legend Barbara Lynn. He also has backed the late guitarist Zachary Breaux.
In 1988, Daniels’ inherited a tenor saxophone that belonged to his dad who died that same year. Although Daniels had experience with the alto sax as a firefighter playing in the Beaumont, Texas Fire Department Band, it was only then that he seriously began studying the instrument. “Aw, man – I miss my dad so much; and he was such an accomplished sax player,” Daniels reminisces. “It’s amazing to think what he could blow out of that horn.”
Seven years after his father’s passing, Daniels released his solo debut CD “Full Circle,” which includes the satellite radio and Latin-infused hit Sambaya. His other recordings include the single Going Home and a Christmas CD called “Holiday House.” Most recently, Daniels collaborated in part with Atlanta hip hop producer Zaytoven to create several songs which is now available by download.
Daniels has played the same venues and opened for jazz greats Bobby Lyle, Jonathan Butler, Alex Bugnon, Jazz Crusaders, Kevin Toney and Kim Waters. For more information and to book Derwin Daniels, Click Here for my e-mail address.
Jazz musician Derwin Daniels grew up in a rhythmic environment. As a toddler, the Southeast Texas native recalls listening to his father, older brothers and sisters playing a variety of instruments and singing as he and a younger sibling waited in the wings. Soon after, at age 4, Daniels scooted to the piano and taught himself to play Satin Doll by ear. “To be honest, I have vague recollection of this, yet it’s a story my mother has recounted many times over the years,” he laughs.
While in grade school, Daniels started out on the clarinet, but later followed the lead of his youngest brother Vernon who today travels the world as a drummer. For himself, as a teenager, Daniels played drums behind blues legend Barbara Lynn. He also has backed the late guitarist Zachary Breaux.
In 1988, Daniels’ inherited a tenor saxophone that belonged to his dad who died that same year. Although Daniels had experience with the alto sax as a firefighter playing in the Beaumont, Texas Fire Department Band, it was only then that he seriously began studying the instrument. “Aw, man – I miss my dad so much; and he was such an accomplished sax player,” Daniels reminisces. “It’s amazing to think what he could blow out of that horn.”
Seven years after his father’s passing, Daniels released his solo debut CD “Full Circle,” which includes the satellite radio and Latin-infused hit Sambaya. His other recordings include the single Going Home and a Christmas CD called “Holiday House.” Most recently, Daniels collaborated in part with Atlanta hip hop producer Zaytoven to create several songs which is now available by download.
Daniels has played the same venues and opened for jazz greats Bobby Lyle, Jonathan Butler, Alex Bugnon, Jazz Crusaders, Kevin Toney and Kim Waters. For more information and to book Derwin Daniels, Click Here for my e-mail address.
