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Danny Weller

A professsional bassist since the age of 16, Danny has backed up numerous jazz artists such as Gilbert Castellanos, Geoffrey Keezer, Charles McPherson, Mike Wofford, Peter Sprague, Jason Palmer, Mike Moreno, and Obed Calviere. Danny has also backed artists such as blues-singer Earl Thomas, and Scott Russo of Unwritten Law.

Danny attended New England Conservatory in Boston in 2004, where he got to study Jazz performance with Bob Moses, Cecil McBee, John Lockwood, Oscar Stagnaro, Jerry Bergonzi, and Danilo Perez. and in 2005, he performed in the NEC Jazz Honors Ensemble, and their performance of his original composition, The Cranning Call, was selected to represent NEC on Jazziz Magazine’s annual “Education Issue” CD. During his time in Boston, Danny became the steady bassist for the Wally’s Thursday night latin band, featuring among others, Aruan Ortiz and Francisco Mela. His 2005 debut album, “Tree of Thorns,” is a musical dialogue with his dad, Bob Weller, and also featured several original compositions inspired by his love of Sci-Fi literature, but also influenced by elements of experimental improvisation. In May 2006, Danny completed his Bachelor of Music and moved back to San Diego.

During his time back home, he joined Gilbert Castellanos’ band, and performed with Gilbert alongside artists such as Willie Jones III, Kevin Kanner, Mahesh Balasooriya, Ramon Banda, Josh Nelson, and Gerald Clayton. Danny got to back Gilbert’s weekly jam session, which featured guest artists such as Nicholas Payton, Ravi Coltrane, Chuchito Valdez, and Charles McPherson. Danny also did several performances of off-Broadway musicals in local San Diego playhouses, including the world premiere of shows such as Sammy and Bonnie & Clyde. In May 2010, Danny moved with his wife to NY. Shortly after moving, he joined the band of Miss Tess, a singer/songwriter from Brooklyn, and performed at hundreds of venues, clubs, and festivals, to audiences ranging from small to over 6,000.

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Album Review

Hadar Orshalimy: Witchcraft

Read "Witchcraft" reviewed by Edward Blanco


New York-based Israeli songstress Hadar Orshalimy offers her second album Witchcraft (The Jewish Women of the Great American Songbook), containing nine often-recorded and well-known standards, all written by Jewish women. This project is a follow-up to her critically-acclaimed debut It Never Was You (Self-Produced, 2019) which presented a repertoire of music from famous Jewish composers. This second effort continues the journey of her cultural and religious heritage, driven by her passion for music. A glimpse into her past reveals a ...

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". . . and Weller takes a show-stopping solo. He seems to be coming out of the tradition of guys like Gary Peacock, and Dave Holland; huge, muscular sound with astonishing velocity." - Robert Bush, San Diego Reader

"While there are strong solos throughout Third Story’s 10-song album, it is the group’s ensemble work - crisp and fluid, moody but carefully calibrated - that most impresses." - George Varga, San Diego Union Tribune

Primary Instrument

Bass, acoustic

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Witchcraft

Self Produced
2023

buy

Unstuck in Time: The...

Sunnyside Records
2022

buy

Our Time: Reimagining...

Origin Records
2021

buy

Third Story

Third Story Music
2012

buy

Bokonon

From: Unstuck in Time: The Kurt...
By Danny Weller

Blue Rondo à la Turk

From: Our Time: Reimagining Dave...
By Danny Weller

Videos

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