"...One of the best kept secrets in Canada...a truly remarkable musician." - Bill King, Jazz Preview, Jazz FM91.1
Twice nominated "best jazz clarinetist" in the National Jazz Awards, recording artist and composer James Danderfer has impressed audiences around the world with his warm sound and lyrical improvising style. With educational credits including Interlochen World Center For the Arts, Western Michigan University, and McGill University James has performed and recorded with some of the finest jazz musicians in North America.
Danderfer's three most recent recordings on his own record label (Reigning Parade) are a testament to his musicality and eclectic tastes. From the sultry 1930s-style trio album 'Swingin' at the Patricia' (featuring James' "Jelly Roll Suite" commissioned by CBC Radio) to the powerful, 11-piece New Orleans brass band-inspired outing 'The Hummingbird Brigade' to his electro-jazz album 'City of Angles,' Danderfer's music is as exciting and varied as it is heartfelt.
Early inspiration came from recordings by Duke Ellington, Lester Young, Oscar Peterson and Artie Shaw as well as from Ray Charles, John Coltrane, The Beatles, Muddy Waters, Led Zeppelin and Michael Jackson.
James has worked in many different situations, both artistic and commercial, around the world. James enjoys the challenges of both and especially enjoys the opportunity to travel, something which inspires his own music a great deal. While always attracted to jazz music for it's unique mix of creativity, soul, romance, intellect, and groove; in recent years James has explored other areas of music as well; learning to sing, and writing lyrics for some of his songs.
James Danderfer is available as:
The Hummingbird Brigade A contemporary take on New Orleans Brass Band Tradition.
Mixes Soul, Funk and Jazz Into a Delicious Gumbo.
New Orleans, Louisiana has always been a melting pot of musical styles since the early 20th century when the forces of improvisation and the blues, ragtime, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms all coalesced into America's first great indigenous art form: Jazz.
The New Orleans brass band is an important and vibrant part of this tradition, continuing to mix contemporary styles of jazz, funk, Afro-beat and Latin American music. Whether performing in concert venues or in the streets of New Orleans, the exciting and powerful brass band sound always gets people dancing!
After numerous visits to the Crescent City, Vancouver bandleader and composer James Danderfer is bringing this Southern sound to the Northwest with his own 8-piece band, The Hummingbird Brigade. Performing a mix of traditional New Orleans marches, funky contemporary brass band covers and inspired originals by Danderfer, The Hummingbird Brigade is a powerhouse ensemble.
"...taking on the New Orleans brass band tradition with energy and insight." - Michael Juk (CBC Radio)
"A meaty, beaty, big, and bouncy all-star band... focused intensity."- Alex Varty (The Georgia Straight)
The Hummingbird Brigade is:
James Danderfer - clarinet/bass clarinet/vocals Chris Gestrin - moog bass Joe Poole - drums Chris Davis - trumpet Rod Murray - trombone Cory Weeds - alto sax Eli Bennett - tenor sax Chad Makela - bari sax
The James Danderfer Trio Early jazz meets modern inspiration.
At times sultry, at times jubilant, but always classy, James Danderfer's swinging trio transports the listener back in time to the small 1930s cabarets of New Orleans and Chicago. Reminiscent of the great Benny Goodman and Jelly Roll Morton trios, this ensemble performs classic repertoire as well as James' original music inspired by the genre. James has performed for audiences around the world and was recently commissioned by CBC Radio to compose a suite of trio music dedicated to Jelly Roll Morton.
The James Danderfer Trio is:
Miles Black - piano James Danderfer - clarinet Joe Poole - drums
