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Most Important Influences:

  1. 1. Stravinsky
  2. 2. Jimi Hendrix
  3. 3. Thelonius Monk
  4. 4. Earth, Wind & Fire
  5. 5. Tomita
  6. 6. McCoy Tyner
  7. 7. Bill Evans

Dr. Dan Matrazzo : Keys, Analog Synths, Theremin
Dr Dan has lived a musical odyssey that has led him around the world and back. He has cultivated a career that has spanned more than 25 years, hundreds of thousands of miles, and styles ranging from rock to jazz, and pop to the blues.

After years of collaboration on a number of legendary projects that are forever recorded on the annals of music history, Dr. Dan is proud to present his own musical vision: "Dan on the Moon." This album, his first solo project, was recorded for Terminus Records under the direction of acclaimed producer David Z. (Prince, Jody Watley, Jonny Lang). "He was like a magician the studio," Dr. Dan raved "He taught me so many new tricks... I never realized an album could sound so good!"

Born and raised in Tokyo, Dr. Dan hit the studio and the road at the tender age of 17, performing with much celebrated Japanese pop sensation Char. Their release "Smoky," produced two national hits and prompted multiple tours and weekly television and radio appearances throughout Asia. " I was famous in Japan at age 17." Dr. Dan recalls. "Droves of teenage girls used to wait at the stage door for me and follow me around wherever I went. It was quite exciting at that age."

After receiving his formal education at the famed Berklee College of Music, Dr. Dan performed and recorded with Winter, featuring guitar master Steve Vai (Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth) and percussion guru Jeff Sipe (Leftover Salmon, Aquarium Rescue Unit).

Dr. Dan eventually settled in Atlanta, where he formed a close relationship with underground legend Colonel Bruce Hampton. He and the Colonel first founded The Aquarium Rescue Unit and later morphed into the Fiji Mariners (as one half its original line-up) with Dr. Dan playing bass, drums and keyboards simultaneously. The Mariners added a drummer and a bass player, and released two albums on Capricorn Records, 1996's studio outing "Fiji" and a 1998 live release entitled "Live."

It is clear that Dr Dan hasn't forgotten the droves of fans that came to get their groove on at countless ARU and Fiji Mariners shows. His keyboard kicks out a funky groove that is sure to mesmerize every live audience. This summer, Dr. Dan will roll back out on national tour.
This is one doctor you won't mind going to see.


Interesting Tidbits About The Doctor:

o Late 70's - Played in a band called Winter with Steve Vai and Jeff Sipe (Leftover Salmon)

o Mid- 80's - spent several years playing, recording, and touring with the legendary Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. He performed on the highly acclaimed live recording "Real Life."

o Late 80's - Joins the original lineup of the Aquarium Rescue Unit.

o Late 90's - Founds (and is one half of) The Fiji Mariners with Colonel Bruce Hampton.

o Tours relentlessly, logging on countless miles from coast to coast and spends his summers on the H.O.R.D.E.

o Throughout, Dr. Dan sits in with almost everyone imaginable including: Blues Traveler, Widespread Panic, Taj Mahal, Morphine, Soul Coughing, Cowboy Mouth, Les Claypool, James Cotton, Leftover Salmon, Phish, Ween, John Scofield, Gov't Mule, The Derek Trucks Band, Stanton Moore of Galactic and the Squirrel Nut Zippers.

Top Five Favorite Albums:

  1. 1. Stravinsky - Rite of Spring
  2. 2. Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced?
  3. 3. John Coltrane - Giant Steps
  4. 4. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II
  5. 5. Weather Report - Black Market

What's in Dr. Dan's CD player right now?

  1. Santana - "Caravanserai "
  2. Moby - "Play"
  3. Jimmy Smith - "Organ Grinder"

"Dan On The Moon" Album Highlights:


o Produced by the legendary David Z. who engineered Prince's "Purple Rain", produced the Fine Young Cannibals "She Drives Me Crazy" and has worked with a wide swath of diverse artists including Jody Watley, Johnny Lang (both albums), Leo Kottke, The Freddy Jones Band, The Go Go's, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Neneh Cherry. David Z.'s albums have collectively sold upwards of 10 million copies.

o Features: Guitarist Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers, Government Mule).

o Features: Bassist Sam Sims (Mariah Carey, Cher)

o Features: Drummer Lil John Roberts (Janet Jackson)

Gear List:

  1. 1973 Mini Moog Synthesizer
  2. 1972 Hohner Clavinet
  3. 1980 Prophet 600 Synthesizer
  4. 1994 Moog Theremin
  5. 1968 Wurlitzer Electric Piano
  6. 1967 Wurlitzer Electric Piano
  7. 1995 Matchless Chief amp

 

         
         
   

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