DANNY KEAN
DANNY KEAN
(516) 457-6108
"I knew from the moment I first saw him that he was a winner." - Steve Harvey, Comedian, Host
WBLS "The Steve Harvey Morning Show" & Host " Showtime at the Apollo". "Danny is one of those
artists that comes around once every 50 years. He is unique with his amazing musical talent in
the studio as well as live. Don't miss this young man!" - Richie Cannata. "Danny is an artist with a
very special musical gift, his ability to express his emotions shows a versatility at composition
and lyric writing very rare." - Henry Hirsch, Edison Studios.
At twenty-two, Danny Kean has gained a reputation in the musical community as an exceptional singer, songwriter,
producer and multi-instrumentalist. Influenced by classic R&B, jazz, rock and soul, Danny has worked with some of the
industry's top musicians, including icons Ben E. King, Chuck Jackson, Phoebe Snow, Ashford and Simpson and R&B
recording artist, Mario. Several of his songs have been recorded by legendary R&B vocalist, Maxine Brown and Handy
Award winner, Gary U.S. Bonds.
The Long Island, New York native was an infant when his family made a shocking discovery: he had been born totally
blind. As a toddler, Danny tinkered on the family piano and his teachers quickly realized that he had “perfect pitch”.
Throughout childhood, his love of music grew. He would spend hours practicing to the sounds of Jimi Hendrix, Miles
Davis, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Prince, B.B. King, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, Ray
Charles and Stevie Wonder. He ultimately mastered the piano and then moved on to teach himself the guitar, bass,
drums and Hammond organ.
By the age of fourteen, Danny was playing in New York City hot spots such as The Blue Note and Café Wha? He sat in
on studio sessions to learn how great records were made and soon developed an interest in songwriting. He continued to
perform in venues throughout Manhattan.
While still in high school, Danny joined Long Island’s premiere jazz funk group, The Cheshire Cats, in which he
showcased his diverse musical styles. Fans were captivated by his frenetic keyboard playing. Around that time, his
soulful voice blossomed. It is no wonder that musicians - from international recording artist, guitarist, Stevie Cochran
to Nine-Volt Blues, an opening act for Allman Brothers guitarist, Dickie Betts - prevailed upon Danny Kean to play with
them.
Although Danny had earned accolades and had established himself as the number one sideman in town, he yearned to
make music of his own. He decided to enter the studio with esteemed engineer, Joe Johnson, who has worked with
renowned artists Johnny Winter, Todd Rundgren, Wilson Pickett, Joan Jett and Rufus Wainright. Danny recorded
demos and played all the instruments in the style of his heroes: Stevie Wonder and Prince.
He created a sound of his own, which he called, “Eclectric Soul”. For his debut EP - appropriately titled, Eclectric Soul -
he assembled an all-star cast comprised of his friends, sax man Richie Cannata (Billy Joel, The Beach Boys, Booker T.
and the MGs and Billy Preston), guitarist Julio Fernandez (Spiro Gyra) and drummer / bassist Charlie Drayton (The
Expensive Winos, Robin Ford and Hyram Bullock). Released in August of 2002, Eclectric Soul displays a strong soul
background with influences of classic rock, jazz and funk. The three-song demo received outstanding reviews.
The young, versatile artist was hotter and more sought after than ever. He was featured prominently on two albums by
Blues Hall of Fame Inductee, Sam Taylor, on Blue Tears as well as on a European release, titled, Biggest Dream. Healso
appeared on Canadian songbird, Trish Ribeiro's debut CD entitled, Bare, in May of 2002.
Danny Kean had become somewhat of a media darling. He granted interviews to everyone, from NBC’s Extra-Extra,
Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, Fox’s Good Day New York, Comedy Central’s Insomniac to The New York
Post. Likewise, he was invited to perform his original music live for a worldwide audience on the internationally
syndicated news program, Fox News Live!
In 2003, Danny did his first European tour. He appeared on the bill with Steve Cochran at The Montreaux Jazz Festival
in Switzerland. He also played the Blues Estafette in Utrecht, Holland with Sam Taylor and Maxine Brown, who, in
January of 2004, requested permission to cover three of Danny’s original songs on her CD.
As a producer, Danny's credits include Life Lessons (released in July of 2004), the debut CD of up-and-coming blues
artist, Pat Hunter. The collaboration led to the formation of the band, “MISbHAVIN’!” in which Pat and Danny perform
original, blues and R&B and cover songs of all styles. Newsday writer, Rafer Guzman, proclaimed “MISbHAVIN’!” to be
the best act on Long Island.
In February of 2005, Danny Kean signed on with producers, Henry Hirsch and David Baron of Lenny Kravitz fame.
In October of 2005, Danny took first place in a contest sponsored by Steve Harvey's nationally syndicated morning
radio show. The contest itself - held at the world-famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem - won Danny a spot on Showtime at
the Apollo, to be taped in February of 2006.
On November 2, 2005, Danny won first place in yet another contest - that of the prestigious Apollo Amateur Night, also
held at the Apollo Theatre.
Pretty impressive credits for a twenty-two-year-old, who notes that, of all his accomplishments, the one most
memorable to him, is "Having Motown icon, Valerie Simpson join me onstage to sing background vocals to one of my
original songs. Now that …was magic!”
