Born: February 28, 1955 Primary Instrument: Composer/conductor/leader
Daniel Barry is a composer, arranger, conductor, music educator, publisher and trumpet player currently living in Seattle. Although Daniel's work as a composer falls primarily into the jazz category, his music contains elements garnered from advanced classical music studies along with residencies and festival performances throughout the world, in particular the Caribbean, Central America, Peru, Brazil and Southeast Asia.
Recently he has served as guest Composer/Performer in Residence for the Banda Amazonas in Manaus, Brazil, the Conservatoire de Tatui in Sao Paulo Brazil, and as a featured composer at the 2003 Lima Jazz Festival in Peru.
He is the owner/operator of Marina Music Service and Daniel Barry Publications, and holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in Music Composition from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Daniel Barry’s Walk All Ways exhibits assurance and masterfully conveys mood and sentiment. Listening to his work here, it’s clear that he could lead big bands on a national level, and do them justice, and do himself proud. Peter Monaghan, Earshot Jazz
The sound and style of the dozen originals is difficult to pin down, partly because it switches continually from one influence to another. Sometimes it sounds like folk music from the Old Country, other times like a sort of sophisticated modern gypsy music, and again like some Caribbean or South African High Life music. The writing is fresh and imaginative, and has a hip, tongue-in-cheek sort of style that sets it apart from most of the similar efforts of the “third stream” period. John Henry, Audiophile Audition
Barry’s music has been described by others as: “saucy . . . exuberant stuff. . . even recalls the madcap satire of Zappa in places”. Jason Bivins / Cadence
“. . . superbly crafted charts . . .fresh, imaginative approach.” David Franklin / JazzTimes
“Barry's intelligent arrangements provide the freedom for soloists to exercise their improvisational wants as well as strong ensemble playing.” Dave Nathan / All Music Guide
“While his music isn’t easily lined in a few words, pianist Jovino Santos Neto comes reasonably close writing that the composer produces “a wide spectrum of colors, creating an aural rainbow of moods . . . avoiding easy clichés and focusing on the untouched possibilities of the ensemble.” A credibly accurate summary.” Jack Blowers / AllAboutJazz.com
Walk All Ways is a self-assured, multifaceted delight. Stewart Mason, All Music Guide
Barry’s strength as a composer lies in his ability to develop simple motifs into intricately arranged musical stories. Walk All Ways, at once romantic and satirical, is a successful encapsulation of Barry’s vision of the modern musical world. The sounds are fresh, imaginative and worthy of repeated listening. John Barron, All About Jazz.com
Walk All Ways veers a long way from the mainstream vision . . . but it's sensuous rhythms and vivacious mix of world/classical/jazz sounds makes it a gorgeously unique listening experience. Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz.com
