Born: November 19, 1952 Primary Instrument: Bass, electric
Dan Dean is a truly multitalented artist. Dan has achieved national and international recognition as a Bassist, Producer, Composer, and as an audio and recording Engineer.
Dan has performed with the some of the finest musicians and musical organizations of our time, including: Shelly Manne, Howard Roberts, The Great Guitars (Herb Ellis, Charlie Byrd, Barney Kessell), Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, B.B. King, Eddie Harris, Blue Mitchell and Harold Land, Buddy DeFranco, Donny Hathaway, Tom Scott, Dave Grusin, Don Grusin, Ernestine Anderson, Bill (William O.) Smith, Ernie Watts, the Seattle Symphony, Walt Wagner, Seattle Opera, Freddie Hubbard, Bill Mays, Della Reese, Emil Richards/Joe Porcaro and many others.
Dan has received numerous broadcast and film awards including the Cannes Golden Lion, Addy Awards, Telly Awards, Best of the West Awards, Clio Awards, IBA Awards, IBA “Spike” Award, NEA Composition Award recipient in Jazz Composition, One Show Silver Pencil, a Seattle Symphony Orchestra commission to compose “Piece for Electric Bass and Vibraphone”, National Jazz Educators Award of Excellence, Rosie Awards and others. The Dan Dean Sample Libraries have thus far won 3 Keyboard Magazine’s “Key Buy” awards, Electronic Musician Magazine’s “Best Buy”, and over the past year an a half have earned a total of 35 stars in Sound On Sound Magazine.
Dan has been a major contributor to music education. He is the author of the widely successful Hal Leonard Series for Electric Bass Method Books 1, 2 and 3, Hal Leonard Electric Bass Studio Series Books 1, 2 and 3, Bass Trax and other related projects. He has been a member of the teaching faculties in Jazz studies and Electric Bass, of Western Washington University, Olympic College and Shoreline College. Dan received his B.A. in 1975 from the University of Washington where he majored in English Composition and Literature. He is also an FAA rated commercial pilot.
Dan is also a member of several professional organizations. He is a member of ASCAP (as a Writer and Publisher), the Society of Composers and Lyricists, AES (Audio Engineering Society) and an AFM member.
Awards:
Cannes Golden Lion, Addy Awards, Telly Awards, Best of the West Awards, Clio Awards, IBA Awards, IBA "Spike" Award, NEA Composition Award recipient in Jazz Composition, One Show Silver Pencil, a Seattle Symphony Orchestra commission to compose "Piece for Electric Bass and Vibraphone", National Jazz Educators Award of Excellence, Rosie Awards and others. The Dan Dean Sample Libraries have thus far won 3 Keyboard Magazine’s “Key Buy” awards, Electronic Musician Magazine’s “Best Buy”, and over the past year an a half have earned a total of 35 stars in Sound On Sound Magazine.”Man, how I am I supposed to write something with this CD being ALMOST perfect?” - Bruce Bernardini/JazzReview.com
”For all you beginner, intermediate and pro bass players, Dean will put you to shame. His playing is the utmost impeccable, perfect playing I have ever heard.” - Bruce Bernardini/JazzReview.com
Dean is an exceptionally articulate and resourceful electric bassist and throughout 251 he proves to be both a supportive role model as well as a soloist who deserves better recognition. - Doug Simpson/Audiophile
2, 5, 1, Dan Dean, bass. ”Hey now, when was the last time you read a real good review from me on a recording which includes Hammond B-3 organ on four tunes and accordion (!!!) on two? Maybe never. Well, hold your horses, ‘cause this one’s darn good!” - George Fendel - Jazz Society of Oregon - Feb, 2010
Electric bassists aren't all that common leading jazz record dates, but Dan Dean found a very unusual approach, which is playing duets with four separate keyboardists. Kenny Werner is a first-call sideman, leader, and soloist. His meeting with Dean in a superb take of the old warhorse “'S Wonderful” is full of twists, turns, and outright surprises, and while their interpretation of “Body and Soul” is considerably more subdued, it nonetheless shimmers. George Duke usually plays electric keyboards (though he did stick to acoustic piano for his Muir Woods Suite), so it is a treat to hear him on grand piano. His funky “It's On” is a catchy riff tune, while their dreamy setting of the standard “Stella by Starlight” reminds straight-ahead fans that Duke's chops are still very potent. It's particularly odd to hear an organ-electric bass duo, since the keyboardist usually handles the bassline by himself. Yet Larry Goldings and Dean work in tandem for an infectious take of “One Note Samba,” a soulful “Georgia on My Mind” (with a nod to Ray Charles), and a hip “In Walked Bud.” Dean and pianist Gil Goldstein meander into “All the Things You Are” via a side route before incorporating Dizzy Gillespie's famous added introduction, then take it down a more familiar path. Goldstein switches to accordion for “Lover Man” with Dean carrying the melody, possibly one of the most striking interpretations of this jazz standard. While the veteran bassist is better known regionally than nationally, this top-drawer effort should open a few doors for him. - All Music Guide/Ken Dryden
2-5-1
Dan Dean
Origin
2010
Tracks:
1. ‘S WONDERFUL 6:04;
2. ONE NOTE SAMBA 5:17;
3. ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE 10:39;
4. IT’S ON 6:12;
5. DOLPHIN DANCE 9:46;
6. GEORGIA ON MY MIND 8:01;
7. STELLA BY STARLIGHT 6:00;
8. I GOT YOU (I FEEL GOOD) 4:23;
9. LOVER MAN 7:52;
10. IN WALKED BUD 5:04;
11. BODY AND SOUL 8:15.
Personnel: Dan Dean: Bass.
George Duke: Piano.
Gil Goldstein: Piano, Accordion.
Larry Goldings: Hammond B-3 Organ.
Kenny Werner: Piano.
As Co-Leader
Duets
Collier & Dean
Origin
2005
Tracks:
1. LINES 2:35;
2. FIVE BROTHERS 5:32;
3. NOW & THEN 6:21;
4. GIANT STEPS 3:16;
5. COUNTESS LI 4:29;
6. WHAT A SHAME 6:16;
7. BACKWOODS SONG 7:51;
8. PACIFIC AIRE 8:57;
9. ROCKAVIBABE 4:18;
10. SO WHAT? 7:20;
11. KILL THE BUTLER 5:08;
Personnel: Dan Dean: Bass.
Tom Collier: Vibes, Marimba.
Whistling Midgets
Collier & Dean
DDP
1999
Tracks:
1. Sunrise
2. San Juan
3. Old Friends and Relatives
4. Fog Tight
5. Whistling Midgets
6. Cara, Like A Rose
7. A Song For M
8. Hagen's Hoedown
9. Cowboys and Christians
10. A Scream In The Shirts
11. Clipper Ship
Personnel: Dan Dean: Bass.
Tom Collier: Mallets.
Don Grusin: Keyboards.
Alex Acuna: Drums and percussion.
Ernie Watts: Saxophones.
Gary Herbig: Saxophones, WW's.
John Morton: Guitars.
Norman Durkee: B-3.
As A Side Musician
Montana Shooting Star
Gary Herbig
Her Big Records
Year Released
Tracks:
1. Gary's Song
2. Sherman Oaks Shuffle
Personnel: Gary Herbig: WW's.
Mike Jochum: Drums.
Stu Goldberg: Keyboards.
Dan Dean: Bass.
Deedles
1985
Diane Schuur
GRP Records
Tracks:
1. The Very Thought Of You
2. New York State Of Mind
3. Teach Me Tonight
4. I'm Beginning To See The Light
5. I'll Close My Eyes
6. Reverend Lee
7. I'm Just Foolin' Myself
8. Rock Me On The Water
9. Can't Stop A Woman In Love
10. Amazing Grace
Personnel:Diane Schuur: Vocals, Piano.
Dave Grusin: Piano, Keybds.
Don Grusin: Keybds.
Howard Roberts: Guitar
Dan Dean: Bass
Stan Getz: Tenor Sax
Moyes Lucas: Drums
Buddy Williams: Perc.
Steve Khan: Guitar
The Very Best Of Diane Schuur
Diane Schuur
GRP Records
Diane Schuur: Collection
Diane Schuur
GRP Records
Look In Your Heart
Ernie Watts
Elektra
Turning To Spring
Howard Roberts
Discovery
Groove For Thought
Groove For Thought
GFT
2008
Mallet Jazz
Tom Collier
Origin
2004
Son Of A Dirty Guitar Player
Jay Roberts
Self Produced
Living Things
Michael Tomlinson
Mesa Bluemoon
Still Believe
Michael Tomlinson
Mesa Bluemoon
Face Up In The Rain
Michael Tomlinson
Mesa Bluemoon
The Day To Day
Danny O'Keefe
Self Produced
Where Eagles Fly
The Brothers Four
CBS/Sony
Inspired
Groove For Thought
GFT
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Primary Instrument:
Bass, electric
Location:
Mercer Island, WA
Willing to teach:
Beginners
Credentials/Background:
Author "Hal Leonard Electric Bass Method" Books 1, 2, 3.
Author "Hal Leonard Studio Series for Electric Bass" Books 1, 2,
3.
Author"Bass Trax" Hal Leonard Publishing
Previously Electric Bass Instructor @
Olympic College
Shoreline College
Western Washington University
