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Dan Coy

Atlanta-based guitarist

About Me

Dan Coy began actively playing in Atlanta in the mid 1970's with bands like Blessed Relief, Windows, Unit Structure and Polydor recording artists, Early Warning System.

In the 1980's the Dan Coy Band was formed and began performing regularly at the Cafe 290, Claude's, Club 131, The Point, RCI Cafe and Fat Tuesdays. Creative Loafing readers voted the Dan Coy Band best Jazz band in Atlanta several years in a row. Meanwhile Dan concurrently performed and recorded with other local bands such as Kodac Harrison, Stephanie Pettis, Berné Poliakoff, Stephen Charles, Fonda Fiengold and Vertex T. featuring engagements ranging from all over the East coast US to Europe and the Middle East.

During the early 1990's The Dan Coy Band, featuring Octavia Jones and a host of top local musicians, continued to perform regularly at the Cafe 290, Topaz and Hariston's as well as at regional Jazz festivals and TV shows. Meanwhile Dan also performed and recorded with Nancee Kahlor, Peter Vogl, Sal Padillo, David Ragsdale and Moxie, just to name a few.

In the late 1990's, while seeking a more intimate and expressive musical format, the Dan Coy Trio was created and performed regularly at Smiths Olde Bar. At this time DC3 recorded their widely acclaimed live CD, “Nothing But The Truth”. Later DC3 became regulars at Sambuca Jazz Cafe and also were the featured band opening shows for Herbie Hancock, Jeff Lorber, Dave Samuels, Patricia Barber and David Benoit.

The Dan Coy Trio maintained a regular schedule at Sambuca Jazz Cafe and Arturo's in 2000 and 2001. Meanwhile Dan made frequent appearances and recordings with artists such as Rita Graham, Sam Skelton, Moxie, Kodac Harrison, Tempest Little Big Band, Swing Factory and Sentimental Journey Orchestra.

In the later part of 2001 Dan teamed up with keyboardist Mack McKibben. This dynamic duo has performed every Tu-W-Th at Violette Restaurant since. The duo of Dan and Mack also form the core of various ensembles, including Drive Time, which feature top jazz artists from the region. Dan and Mack, along with their larger ensembles, enjoyed many bookings at regional concerts, events both private and public as well as their regular duo appearances at Violette.

Starting around 2010 Dan began performing concerts with artists such as Penelope Williams, Traci Wynn, Karen Greene, Rai Ragland, Melanie Massell, Mike Marinelli, John Norris, Gwen Hughes and performed at the 2011 Jacksonville Jazz Festival with Bradford Rogers.

Dan was a member of the Bonaventure Quartet, a gypsy jazz ensemble. The Dan Coy quartet, trio, and duo remains a favorite at Atlanta restaurants and corporate events and features players like Yonrico Scott, Dan Lawrence, Russ Rodgers, Nick Longo, Charles Marshall, Emrah Kotan, Chris Burroughs, David Ellington, Dave Webb, Scott Glazer, Sean O'Rourke, Justin Chesarek, Kristen Markiton, Moffitt Morris, Kinah Botoh, Ben Bailey, and more.

Dan continues to perform several nights a week at Petite Violette restaraunt in Atlanta playing jazz standards with Berne Poliakoff and gypsy jazz with Gabe Granitz, Matthew Kaminski, Mark Bynum, Trey Wright, and Nick DeSebastian. Several times a year Dan joins international musicians, Frederic Gomez, Sasha Strunjas, and George Scheck for sold out shows at the Jazz Corner in Hilton Head, SC.

Dan also enjoys exploring the great outdoors, backpacking, running and cycling. In addition to being a successful bandleader in the Atlanta area for almost fifty years, Dan is a proud husband, father and grandfather.