bio
A native of Portland, pianist Dan Gaynor studied at Mt. Hood Community College and Portland State University with teachers including Randy Porter, Dave Barduhn, Darrell Grant and Glen Moore. He has been gigging professionally since the age of 17 with musicians including Nancy King, Kelly Joe Phelps, Alan Jones, Glen Moore, Bob Mover, Lawrence Williams, Esperanza Spalding, Rob Scheps, Robert Moore, John Stowell, Ingrid Jensen, David Friesen, Ron Steen, Mel Brown, "Sweet Baby" James Benton, Chris Conrade and many others. As an accompanist, Dan has performed with performers including poets, painters, clowns, actors and singers of every level. He appears on Oasis by David Valdez & Pere Soto, both releases by Barbara Lusch (alongside Bobby Torres, Reinhardt Melz, Rob Thomas, Essiet Essiet, Scott Steed and others) and on Saffron Robe by Chopslaughter.
artistic resume
2006
- Lawrence Williams Project shows at Jimmy Mak's, featuring Nancy King and Bobby Torres
- Work with New Orleans evacuees relocated in Portland (Devin Phillips, Nobu Ozaki, Mark DiFlorio, Steven Walker and the Few Chosen), playing New Orleans Jazz, New Orleans Funk and straight ahead jazz.
- Work with Glen Moore Trio around Portland, and in Ashland (Tyson Stubelek on drums), playing orignal music by Glen and myself as well as by Ralph Towner, Steve Swallow and others.
- Recording with Beliss, featuring Belinda and Melissa Underwood.
- Recording with David Valdez and Pere Soto from Barcelona.
- Television appearance on Rachel Ray with Steven Walker and the Few Chosen at the Blue Monk
- Pianist on Barbara Lusch's second record, Surprisingly Good for You
- Work with vocalist and trumpeter Robert Moore, including the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival.
- Television apperance with guitarist John Stowell on Portland Jazz Jams.
2005
- Duo work with Nancy King in Portland.
- Member of Vocal Faculty at Centrum workshop at Port Townsend along with Nancy King, Kurt Elling, Kristin Korb, Dawn Clement, Pete Swan. Included duo performances with Nancy, group master classes and one on one clinics.
- Performance with tenor saxophonists Rob Scheps, Ralph Bowen in Portland.
- Guest artist at Mississippi Jazz Jam (in Portland) with David Valdez. Also performances with John Stowell, Christopher Woitach and Dan Schulte.
- Recording with Nancy King, Kelly Joe Phelps, Alan Jones and Andrea Niemiec. Recording chestnuts like Up a Lazy River and By the Light of the Silvery Moon as well as folk songs and some pop standards (The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Jimmy Webb).
- Work with Bobby Torres Ensemble playing Salsa and Latin Jazz for clubs, private parties and festivals.
- Benefit concert for Tsunami Relief in January with Reinhardt Melz, Damien Erskine, Glen Moore, Tyson Stubelek and others.
2004
- Finished Degree at Portland State University. Senior recital with David Evans, Dan Schulte and Ken Ollis. Songs by Bud Powell, Jobim, Denzil Best, Strayhorn, etc. Piano teacher: Randy Porter (2004 and 1996-2002).
- Lawrence Williams Concert in Portland with David Valdez, Farnell Newton, Nancy King, Alan Jones, where I transcribed, arranged and played Lawrence's tunes.
- Pianist for Andre St James/Roger Woods Nonet, festival gigs, club performances and live radio. The Nonet performed eight of my arrangements.
- Recording, radio performance with Pete Petersen's 8-piece swing band, Porkpie, and made arrangements for four horns.
- Oregon Ensemble at Portland State University, performing works by Ralph Towner, with final performance at the Bite of Oregon.
- Bob Mover quartet in Portland
- Dan Schulte Sextet (with David Evans, David Valdez, Lars Campbell, Tim Rapp)
- MS Tobin Quintet (Mary Sue Tobin, Willie Matheis, Bill Athens, Ken Ollis and myself). Pianist and arrangements.
2003
- Played with Ken Ollis and Associates with Lars Campbell, Tom Kay, including recording and live radio performance.
- Recording with Barbara Lusch (with Essiet Essiet, Reinhardt Melz, Bobby Torres, Scott Steed)
- Recording with Chopslaughter, an eclectic improvising trio of trombone, piano and bass, including original material by band members, classical works in open improvising format such as Mahler Kindertotenlieder, Bach arias, and obscure poppish songs by Angelo Badalamenti, Pete Townshend, etc.
- Performances in Toronto with Bob Mover, Esperanza Spalding, Shauna Connell.
- Regular accompanist with choir at Ainsworth United Church of Christ. Styles ranging from traditional sacred classical repertoire and spirituals to modern styles such as contemporary gospel.
2002
- Recording with Jane Wright and Ken Ollis: Southern Songs and Ballads
- Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival with Bob Mover (Jake Wilkinson, Neil Swainson, Alan Jones). Other performances in Toronto with Phil Dwyer, Kirk MacDonald.
- Recording with renowned alto saxophonist Bob Mover in Portland with Alan Jones, Justin Durrie.
- Member of Rob Scheps' Salon des Refuses, with John Stowell, John Butler, Dave Captein, Reinhardt Melz, and others. Large ensemble improvised music(2 drums, 2 guitars, 2 bass, Rhodes Piano, 2 saxophones), accompanying poets.
- Regular solo gig at the Arlington Club, downtown Portland, where I was able to try out different kinds of repertoire in a solo context.
- Private Study with Darrell Grant.
- Esperanza Spalding Trio (with Willie Matheis, Tenor Saxophone). Traditional jazz repertoire with vocals and bass by Esperanza.
2001
- Pianist for Artist's Repertory Theater production of Ain't Misbehavin', performing stride piano in the style of Fats Waller.
- Junior recital at PSU, including arrangements for med. ensemble (5 horns, 4 voices, rhythm), repertoire by Jobim, Parker, Jarrett, Gil Evans, etc.
- Pianist for musical productions at Mount Hood Community College
- Recording with vocalist Deanna Foutz - Summer Night.
1999-2000
- Studies at MHCC. Pianist for award-winning vocal jazz group Genesis. Performances at IAJE in Anaheim and venues throughout the Northwest. Subjects included Keyboard Harmony, Conducting, 20th century harmony and analysis, participation in Musical Theater and with Wind Symphony.
1996, 1997
- Interlochen Arts Camp. Classes in improvisation, 20th century music, ensembles ranging from quintets to Big Bands. Performances with Concert Band (as pianist) and Gospel Choir, among other things. Lessons in classical piano.