- Danny Mixon
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Danny Mixon Birth name Daniel Asbury Mixon Born August 19, 1949
Harlem, New York City, United StatesGenres Mainstream jazzHard Bop Post Bop Occupations Pianist, Vocalist, Bandleader Instruments Piano Website http://www.dannymixonsounds.com Daniel Asbury Mixon (born August 19, 1949 in Harlem, New York City) is an American jazz pianist.
Mixon is a talented pianist who gained some attention in the 1970s and who continues to record and to play in New York and abroad. He started off as a tap dancer, attending the Ruth Williams Dance Studio. Later, he attended the High School of Performing Arts with Dance as his major but soon switched to playing the piano after being inspired by visits with his grandfather to see jazz artists playing at the Apollo Theater.
In 1966, at the age of 17,Danny was invited to play with the trumpet player Sam Brown's band backing Patti Labelle & the Blue Bells in Atlantic City at Reggie's Cocktail Lounge. After working with Joe Lee Wilson from 1967–70, Mixon started to play regularly with Betty Carter during the years 1971-72.
He formed his own jazz trio, recorded with the Piano Choir and worked with a variety of important jazz musicians including Kenny Dorham, Cecil Payne, Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, Frank Foster, Grant Green, Pharaoh Sanders (1975), Joe Williams (jazz singer), Eddie Jefferson and Dee Dee Bridgewater.
1976 saw Mixon playing in Charles Mingus' band. He then played with Dannie Richmond in the late 1970s, tourd the U.S. with Yusef Lateef and played a few years with the Lionel Hampton Big Band.
Since his twenties Mixon has worked continuously with Frank Foster (musician) as a pianist for the Big Band; Frank Foster's Loud Minority, and his quartet - the Non-Electric Company.
Mixon plays piano on many recordings. He appears with Hank Crawford on the compact discs. "Tight" and "After Dark" and has also recorded with The Danny Mixon Trio. His most recent CD is entitled "On My Way".
In 2004 Danny Mixon was presented with an award honoring him as a legendary pianist, by The Jazz Museum in Harlem, from their series “Harlem Speaks” honoring Harlem Heroes.In September 2007 Danny was Honoree at the 18th Annual Legends Purple Carpet Awards, honoring contributors of the promotional arts and entertainment industry at Brooklyn’s Toro’s.
Danny Mixon is currently musical director of the Lenox Lounge in Harlem, where he also regularly plays with the Danny Mixon Trio.
Contents
Selected discography
As leader
- Building Bridges (2004)
- On My Way (2007)
As sideman
With Betty Carter
- Betty Carter, Vols. 1 & 2 (1971)
With Dannie Richmond
- Ode to Mingus (Soul Note, 1979)
Sources
Categories:- 1949 births
- African American musicians
- American jazz pianists
- American jazz bandleaders
- Jazz bandleaders
- Musicians from New York City
- Living people
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