ABOUT JONATHAN DANE

A Life of Music

Jonathan Dane has been referred to as a musician’s musician, with little desire to bend to the pressure of conformity. His artistic approach is fueled by the concept of “inside-out” with the soul as the starting point for his outward reaching musical expression. Rather than conforming to the typical brassiness of many LA trumpet players, Dane exudes a sound that's warm and inviting. Instead of following a “licks recipe”, his style is organically his own, albeit with definite influences from those he admires. His voice, whether singing or playing, is soulful and at times, vulnerable. With strengths in trumpet, voice and composition, he could be considered a “triple threat!”

Born to a musical family, Dane grew up immersed in music. Studying both voice and piano at a young age, he later picked up the trumpet at age eleven. While barely a teenager, he knew that music would be his life. He has continued in music full time, supplementing with teaching music privately. He enjoys freelancing in Southern California as a trumpet player, specializing as a jazz soloist.

Dane has had the privilege of working with many fine musicians. Recording projects include Scott Whitfield’s Tribute to Johnny Mandel as both a singer and trumpet player, featured trumpet/flugelhorn soloist on Aaron Serfaty's In The Game produced by Otmaro Ruiz, and seven recordings with Luis Munoz, a Santa Barbara jazz icon.

He has played with various bands including Bill Cunliffe, Kim Richmond and Bill Holman, soloing on Holman’s grammy nominated Homage. Dane has had the honor to play and record with some of LA’s greatest players, including well known vocalists, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Cab Calloway and Frankie Valli.  He has performed with the Dean Mora Band at the Lincoln Center and did a tribute to Horace Silver with pianist Alan Pasque at the Blue Whale Jazz Club.  He was also a jazz soloist with the Stan Kenton Band, touring the East Coast, including Washington DC and NYC.

Dane received his schooling at the University of North Texas and the Dick Grove School of Music.