Danny Guerrero – The Man Behind The Piano
When DannyGuerrero sits down to play the piano people take notice. Dressed in black with a jaunty beret – Guerrero has cut an impressive figure on the Los Angeles music scene for thirty some years as pianist – composer – arrange- conductor -accompanist – and all around raconteur.
Guerrero is also known as a master technician and has been affectionately dubbed “the master of keyboard virtuosity” for his virtuoso piano technique and skills. His diverse “gigs” have taken him from “Bach to Rach – Concertos, opera, classic Italian folk songs, standards, blues, swing and Broadway come alive under Guerrero’s flying fingertips.
For the past two years, however, Guerrero has been feeding his secret passion of performing jazz and has just released his first jazz CD – Celebration – which was recorded live at Café 322 in Sierra Madre, California where he hosts a jazz night the first Thursday of every month.
Along with longtime friend and colleague, drummer/composer Carl Rigoli and bassist Mike Flick, Guerrero infuses jazz classics with his classical styling and classical pieces with his jazz styling – add some blues, swing, a little Latin and even Vaughn Monroe’s Ghost Riders In The Sky and you have a loyal following coming back time after time for more of Guerrero’s energetic and unique arrangements.
So I asked Danny a few questions about “the man in the black beret.”
Here’s Danny’s story……
HA: Give the readers a little overview of your background and how you got your start.
DG: I hail from Denver, Colorado where I earned a Masters Degree in MusicComposition at Denver University. I began my professional career at the age of 16, playing piano with regional dance bands. My first instrument was the trumpet and I held the post of first trumpet in many bands and orchestras.
I am the only professional musician in my family, although my materna lgrandfather was an amateur violinist. My parents exposed me to music through the Junior Police Boys Band and trumpet and piano lessons. Debuted with the Denver Businessman’s Symphony at the age of 11. My background is Colonial Spanish and SpanishBasque and we have traced the family back to the 1500s.
HLA: What famous people have you worked with?
DG: I conducted for Charo, Jim Nabors, John Gary, Kathryn
Grayson, Mitzi Gaynor, and Kay Starr, among others. I worked as assistant conductor at the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera and Shubert Theater. I worked as a consultant on the movies “All Night Long” and “Corrina Corrina.”
Highlights include studying with Darius Milhaud at the Aspen School, playing a Mozart piano concerto with Judy Collins at the age of 16, receiving a compliment from George Shearing when I played for him early in my career, winning the Jack Fina Boogie Woogie contest in my teens, conducting the great bands in the main rooms in Vegas, Reno, Tahoe, etc., conducting a full scale version of the opera Andrea Chenie
HLA: You’re known as a classical musician – why jazz?
DG: Jazz has always been a secret passion. I had a jazz combo in college bu tsince the jobs took me elsewhere I didn’t pursue jazz as a career. That’s why it’s especially satisfying to return to jazz at this time. My arrangements
Include many classical references and could probably be described as fusion cross-over.
HLA: Who has influenced you musically – classical and jazz?
DG: Ahmad Jamahl and Andre Previn have influenced me in the jazz field. In my early years, I studied the classical repertoire with the great woma nconductor, Dr. Antonia Brico, about whom Judy Collins produced a documentary. She gave me the tools to keep playing throughout a long career.
I warm up on the piano by practicing some of the great classical pieces, and see her notations on almost every bar!
HLA: Your wife is a great singer of both opera and cabaret, being one of the few who can truly crossver in each genre. How did you meet her – do you work together?
DG: Norma and I met at a restaurant in Denver called Mario’s. Norma was auditioning for various opera companies and I accompanied her. The Lalli family now owns a restaurant in Sierra Madre called Café 322 where we both perform on Sunday evenings. We have been very close to the Lalli family since the 1960s and it is full circle for us to be working for them at this time! Norma and I have been married 40 years.
HLA: What is your favorite make of piano and why?
DG: Steinway – the older ones are better than the new ones – they have wonderful resonance and the bass really booms.
HLA: Who is Danny outside of the music world?
DG: Cars have always been my passion, starting with a Sprite in my college years and continuing through an Austin Healey, a Jaguar XKE, etc. Now drive a Saturn Sky with great pleasure. I swim and walk every day to keep physically fit.
HLA: What is your next project or projects?
DG: Release another jazz CD and work more with my jazz trio. I would also like to return to conducting.
HLA: Do you have a favorite quote or piece of music?
DG: One of the classical pieces that I incorporate into my jazz is Concierto de Aranguez by Rodrigo. I also enjoy playing Granados’ Playera. Both are included on my recently released jazz album, “Celebration.”
HLA: OK, last chance. Is there anything about you that others don’t know?
DG: I worked as a bugler at the dog track (greyhounds) in Denver, dressed in the typical bugler’s costume. When the wind blew, the bugle would sway inthe wind, making it hard to play. Whenever the Junior Police Boys Band marched in parades (often), we would follow the horses, which meant concentrating on our music and our feet at the same time!
HLA: And last but not least – Any advice to give a singer or musician who is just beginning a career?
DG: Take courses about music as a business, something most musicians skip.
Thanks Danny – you are one amazing musician and one amazing man!
You can see Danny play every Sunday evening from 7:00 t10:00 PM at tCafé 322, 322 W Sierra Madre Boulevard in Sierra Madre, CA 91204 and on the first Thursday of every month at 322. There is no cover charge. For information and reservations, call 626- 836-5414.
To order Danny’s CD CELEBRATION and other CDs, please Visit www.dannyguerrero.com or email Danny at filmcompoz@aol.com.
About the Author
Holly Addy is a professional musician and music publicist based in the greater Los Angeles area. For further information, email Holly at: hollyholly@aolcom.
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