- Dann Glenn
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Dann Glenn Background information Birth name Dann Glenn Born May 30, 1950 Origin Denver, Colorado, U.S. Genres Jazz fusion, free jazz, orchestral Occupations Bassist, keyboardist, composer, author Instruments Electric bass, keyboards Years active 1973-present Notable instruments LightWave Saber HexFX Bass
Steinway Grand PianoDann Glenn (born May 30, 1950) is an American jazz fusion electric bass guitar virtuoso and composer, who has published and recorded a catalog of six symphonies, and released numerous jazz and avant garde albums, over the years.
Known for years as a bassist, after an injury to his left hand, Glenn became disenchanted playing the bass, and temporarily switched his primary instrument to that of electric guitar around 2003-04; ultimately returning to the electric bass, after his hand healed in 2011.[1] Also an accomplished pianist, Glenn's status as a multi-instrumentalist has served him well, on his jazz fusion and modern orchestral recordings.
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As a musician
Beginning in the 1970s, Dann Glenn's career started as a rock musician, who later became a serious jazz player and classical composer. During his formative years he played with such musicians as Blues guitarists Michael Bloomfield (guitarist),[2] and Luther Tucker.
Dann was mentored by Monk Montgomery, the first bassist to record electric bass on a jazz tune (with Lionel Hampton), and brother of jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery.
Dann's first published release was a collaboration with film scorer Dan Slider entitled "A Whispered Warning" (ITI-Allegiance Records-JL031) in 1984.
Glenn also began performing at the famed North Hollywood jazz club Donte's, and after striking up friendships with such guitarists as Jennifer Batten (Michael Jackson, Jeff Beck) and John Goodsall (Brand X), Glenn was asked to join the faculty at the Bass Institute of Technology (now Musicians Institute) in Hollywood.
This is where Dann met bassist Jeff Berlin,[3] becoming life-long friends and colleagues. Glenn was also a close friend of the late-great Jaco Pastorius,[4] who died in 1987.
After having his fill of the West coast, Glenn relocated to the Midwest and began issuing solo releases that focused on several varied musical styles.[5]
Starting, and ultimately leaving, a band known as BangTower, Glenn went on to create a new ensemble, the Eleven Eleven Orchestra, which features bass virtuosos Jeff Berlin and Baba Elefante, and renowned drummer Ronnie Ciago. Glenn also collaborated with former Godsticks bassist Jason Marsh (also the album's producer) and Baba Elefante on a release entitled "Electric." In 2011, Glenn appeared in the motion picture "Johnnie Be Good" alongside Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and many other icons of music.[6]
As a composer
Glenn's body of work comprises the following six symphonies:
- Symphony No. 1 (Biblia)
- Symphony No. 2 (Variations on a Dream)
- Symphony No. 3 (The High Rise Symphony)
- Symphony No. 4 (The Vietnam Symphony)
- Symphony No. 5 (The Alaska Symphony)
- Symphony No. 6 (The Galactic Symphony)
As a solo jazz artist
A Whispered Warning
Street Without Joy
Emerald Tiger
Atlantis
Espionage
Maybe Never
Little Toy Horns
Subharmonia
Eleven Eleven Orchestra
Electric
Dann Glenn/Volume 1
As an author
In 2004 Glenn's first published novel Almost A Proverb[7] was released. This book (ISBN 978-1-4134-4833-7) reflects his tour of duty during the Vietnam War in 1969. Not for the faint of heart, this novel's storyline contains graphic sexuality and violence, peppered with abstract dreamscapes throughout. In 2011 this novel became an eUB book, available for digital readers. (ISBN 9781609846978)
See also
- John Goodsall John Goodsall
- Monk Montgomery Monk Montgomery
- Jaco Pastorius Jaco Pastorius
- Jeff Berlin Jeff Berlin
- Jeff Beck Jeff Beck
- Michael Bloomfield Michael Bloomfield (guitarist)
References
- ^ Encyclopedia of Jazz
- ^ Michael Bloomfield Discography
- ^ "Jeff Berlin - Electric Bass Virtuoso - Home". Jeffberlinmusic.com. 2010-05-07. http://www.jeffberlinmusic.com/. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ Prato, Greg (2002-08-29). "Dann Glenn". AllMusic. http://allmusic.com/artist/p195403/biography. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
- ^ Johnnie Be Good the Movie
- ^ Bookfinder
External links
Categories:- American jazz bass guitarists
- Jazz fusion musicians
- Living people
- American composers
- 1950 births
- American writers
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