Location

London

Birthday:

November 27

What interests you about the steelband art form? If you like, go ahead and tell your fellow WST Ning members about yourself here

I studied repertoire and oral music, and writing and arranging at the Goldsmith’s College, University of London. I have studied advanced jazz harmony, Classic contemporary music since 1990. I have been teaching music on the Steel pan instruments in Secondary and Primary schools throughout London for the past 20 years. I am currently a steel pan instructor, studio composing tutor and a Co tutor at Loxford School Trust, Ilford, Essex. I also have experience in performing in groups across England and abroad and I am a member of the Grand Union Orchestra, who have done many music workshops all over England and abroad.    My pioneering project was “The History of The Steel Pans and Caribbean Music 2008”, this incorporated a launch at Stratford Town Hall with 2 narrators, 4 speakers, 12 workshops and 6 tours to Schools in and around Greater London.  This was funded by: Your Heritage National Lottery. Performing at places such as; 'The Mau Mau' Ladbroke Grove, 'Inn on the Green' Ladbroke Grove, 'The Vortex Jazz Club' Stoke Newington and 'The Mount Strive' Stoke Newington. This group took The Marie Lloyd Bar by storm at The Hackney Empire playing standards in jazz and popular music, all with a Caribbean flavour. This artist, arranger and composer has been on the international music circuit for over twenty years  He has travelled to destinations such as Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Switzerland with his first instrument, The Tenor Steel Pan. He has performed with the likes of Roy Ayres, Wynton Marsalis, George Benson, and Courtney Pine at prestigious events like the North Sea Jazz Festival, The St Lucia Jazz Festival and The Edinburgh Festival. Whether it is as lead artist or session musician. Daniel currently has his debut album out on release entitled “Blues Lypso”, a superbly magical and colourful blend of Jazz and Calypso. When Daniel isn’t touring his expertise is given to teaching, which he has been doing for over ten years. Daniel Was Born in London, of St. Lucian parentage and was first introduced to the steel pans while in school at the age of twelve. He is well known on the London jazz scene and Caribbean circuit, having shared the platform with such luminaries as Courtney Pine, USA Sax player Ronnie Laws “Always There”, USA Drummer Clifford Jarvis, The Great Clark Terry, The Great George Benson and the Great Bass player Marcus Miller. Daniel is also co-founder of the Jazz funk group “Double Vision”, which toured all over England and performed live on London’s Jazz FM radio station. Daniel is also co-founder of the steel pan group “Pan Tonic Orchestra”. Daniel has done a great deal of cabaret work with his groups such as “The Daniel Louis Steel Combo’s, the D Louis quintet, pan-ultimate steel and soca bands in every leading Hotel in England and abroad. Daniel has also recorded on the renowned “Jazz Warriors” album and on Guitarist Cameron Pears album “About Time”. 
 Daniel was also a part of the composer, arranger, musical director and saxophonist Jason Yarde groups Tomorrows Warriers as well as composing for his own performance projects  Performances 2008 Grand Union Orchestra The Customs House, South Shields, Tyne & Wear 2005 New Years Day Parade Westminster, Central London 2003: Queens Jubilee Manchester Square 1999: The St. Lucia Jazz Festival St. Lucia Caribbean 1998: The North Sea jazz Festival Holland 1997: Michael Barrymore My Kind of Music/ ITV South Bank 1996: Caribbean Jazz Convention Yaa Asantewa/ Ladbroke Grove 1995: Rhythms of the Gods Queen Elizabeth Hall/ South Bank 1995 - 2015 Hackney Show Grand Union Orchestra/ Hackney Downs “Daniel has achieved a fresh direction on this his album “Blues J@zz Lypso. I first met Daniel in 1987 performing with a jazz funk outfit; I remember being impressed with his playing at the time so I went to him afterwards to give support. His CD is a fine example of his dedication, skill and artistry in performing the steel pan in a jazz setting”.  Courtney Pine