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DK Anderson

DK [Darnell Kenneth] Anderson was born on November 19, 1979, a mill town kid from the city of Monessen, Pennsylvania. He began his musical studies on tenor saxophone at the age of 11. At the age 16 he started playing the piano and became interested in composition. DK Anderson graduated from Duquesne University School of Music having studied with saxophonist James Houlik; composition and orchestration with Mike Tomaro and David Stock; counterpoint with Dr. Robert Shankovich; and jazz studies later with Sean Jones of the Lincoln Center Jazz Band. In 2001, Anderson premiered his first work for big band at Pittsburgh's Mellon Winterfest Jazz Festival.

Anderson is a veteran of the Roger Humphries Big Band [2001 to 2007], Pittsburgh's "Boogie Hustlers" [2004 to 2007]. In 2007 Anderson stepped away from the public eye. During his self-imposed hiatus, Anderson immersed himself in contemplation of music. Living an ascetic like life in a small house in the woods of rural Ohio, Anderson could challenge himself to recognize the musical chords of train whistles as the sound bounced through the valleys. Observing sounds he heard in his surroundings started to affect the way he composed and related to music.

Seeking to expand these concepts, Anderson stepped back into the public music scene in 2015 to jam and talk about music with friends and musicians in as many different genres as possible. His Cypher Band debuted at the Pittsburgh JazzLive Festival 2016.

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5
Album Review

DK Anderson's Cypher: 8th Window

Read "8th Window" reviewed by Hrayr Attarian


Saxophonist DK Anderson showcases his mature style and superb musicianship on his debut 8th Window. Leading his band Cypher, Anderson interprets, with passion and elegance, five of his heady originals and three covers including an intriguing take on rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix's classic “Manic Depression." Anderson opens the latter tune with his fiery honking wails adding a spiritual edge to it. As bass and drums rumble guitarist Dave DiStefano embellishes the melody with resonant chords seamlessly transforming it ...

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3
Recording

Pianist-Composer Armen Donelian Debuts New Trio, With Jay Anderson & Dennis Mackrel, On 'Fresh Start,' Due April 1 From Sunnyside Records

Pianist-Composer Armen Donelian Debuts New Trio, With Jay Anderson & Dennis Mackrel, On 'Fresh Start,' Due April 1 From Sunnyside Records

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity

Pianist-composer Armen Donelian reemerges from the COVID-inspired shutdowns with a newly refined conception on both instrument and pen on Fresh Start, to be released April 1 on Sunnyside Records. The album is the recorded premiere of Donelian’s new trio featuring bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Dennis Mackrel. Sidelined like all musicians by the worldwide pandemic, Donelian was further removed from performing when a shoulder injury left him temporarily unable to play the piano. Ever resourceful, the 71-year-old simply wrote new ...

3
Recording

Singapore Pianist Jeremy Monteiro Teams With Jay Anderson And Lewis Nash For 'Live At No Black Tie'

Singapore Pianist Jeremy Monteiro Teams With Jay Anderson And Lewis Nash For 'Live At No Black Tie'

Source: Mouthpiece Music

Pianist Jeremy Monteiro considers himself a very fortunate man. Renowned as one of the premier jazz pianists in Singapore, he is presently entering the 45th year of a career spanning concerts, education, and music administration. He has played and recorded with many of the world’s greatest jazz artists, including James Moody, Benny Golson, Michael Brecker, Bobby McFerrin, Randy Brecker, Lee Ritenour, Herbie Mann, Paulinho DaCosta, Ernie Watts, Charlie Haden, Terumasa Hino, Al Foster, Carmen Bradford, and Toots Thielemans. In the ...

5
Recording

Clifton Anderson's 'Been Down This Road Before' includes an All-Star Cast!

Clifton Anderson's 'Been Down This Road Before' includes an All-Star Cast!

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

"Been Down This Road Before" is the title track from ​Clifton Anderson’​s new album, which shares the same name. ​It is a thought-provoking musical message, delivered at a time when racism, greed, injustice and a deadly pandemic are jeopardizing our ability to harmoniously exist with one another and with our planet. As always, Clifton’s music serves to challenge and strengthen our resolve to move forward and elevate. ​ Release Date: December 4, 2020, on ​Ropeadope / What We Do Music​. ...

Recording

Clifton Anderson: Road Taken

Clifton Anderson: Road Taken

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

The trombone's personality shares much in common with a scatting singer. To play the instrument effectively, you need to sing through it. Not literally, of course, but you do have to make the trombone sound as if it's functioning as a wordless vocalist. Clifton Anderson is among my favorite trombonists for this very reason. When he plays, he's channeling the sound of singing. Clifton's new album is Been Down This Road Before, out December 4. It's a spiritual work, as ...

1
Recording

Vibraphonist Steve Shapiro, Bassist Dave Anderson, And Drummer Tyger MacNeal Team Up For Progressive Electric Trio Album 'Tri/O: Try The Veal.' Available October 16, 2020

Vibraphonist Steve Shapiro, Bassist Dave Anderson, And Drummer Tyger MacNeal Team Up For Progressive Electric Trio Album 'Tri/O: Try The Veal.' Available October 16, 2020

Source: Solidtone Recordings

Solidtone Recordings is pleased to announce the October 16th release of Try the Veal by TRi/O, a collaborative groove-based contemporary jazz & funk outing from three New York musicians: Steve Shapiro on vibraphone and mallet keyboards, virtuoso 5-string bassist Dave Anderson and drummer Tyger MacNeal. A unique concept and original repertoire sets the group apart in the genres of jazz, percussion, and electronic music—especially through experimentation with customized live-loops and the electronic mallet controller, allowing the band to explore progressive ...

1
Video / DVD

Ivie Anderson: Early Jazz Voice

Ivie Anderson: Early Jazz Voice

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Like Mildred Bailey, Ivie Anderson was an early female vocalist who pioneered the jazz idiom in dance bands. She joined Duke Ellington's orchestra in 1931and for the next 12 years she toured and recorded with the band. Anderson's voice was more pointed and huskier than Bailey's and featured a mild tremolo. She also had a slinkier quality, especially on mid-tempo numbers such as I'm Satisfied and Did Anyone Ever Tell You. One can hear a quite a bit of Anderson ...

3
Recording

Saxophonist/Composer Dave Anderson To Release New CD By His World-Jazz Band Melting Pot on September 14

Saxophonist/Composer Dave Anderson To Release New CD By His World-Jazz Band Melting Pot on September 14

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity

Melting Pot, the new CD by saxophonist Dave Anderson’s like-named world-jazz ensemble, provides a joyous musical antidote to the wave of xenophobia washing over the West today. Formed in 2017, the multicultural band reflects the vitality and diversity of New York City’s international creative music community. Melting Pot will be released on September 14 by LABEL 1 Records. “American culture has started to resist something that’s always been one of its strengths: bringing in people and their influences, seeing what ...

1
Recording

The Matt Anderson Quartet Release "Rambling" On Jellymould Jazz

The Matt Anderson Quartet Release "Rambling" On Jellymould Jazz

Source: Dynamic Agency

Innovative saxophonist and composer Matt Anderson and his quartet release their brand new album Rambling in May 2018 on pioneering UK label Jellymould Jazz, ahead of an extensive national tour. Rambling fuses together a range of distinct musical influences, exploring the common ground between contemporary jazz and folk music, reminiscent of Anderson’s rural upbringing in the North Yorkshire moors. Subtle strains of blues and country can also be detected within the music, as well as echoes of Scandinavian jazz and ...

3
Event

Marcus Anderson And Special Guest JJ Sansaverino Up Close And Personal Smooth Jazz Affair

Marcus Anderson And Special Guest JJ Sansaverino Up Close And Personal Smooth Jazz Affair

Source: Helen Taylor

ACT Jams Productions presents an Up Close and Personal Smooth Jazz Affair featuring Billboard Artists Marcus Anderson and JJ Sansaverino on Friday, November 10 in the Palace Theater Orchestra Lobby located at 100 East Main Street. The artists are joined by band members Steve Clarke (bass), Dexter Pettaway Sr. (drums), and Sean Uliasz (keys). The show is followed by an Old School Dance Party. Hosted by Al Taylor of ACT Jams Productions. Tickets are $40 and it's a limited seating ...

1
Award / Grant

Yes Legend Jon Anderson To Receive Prog God Award From Progressive Music Awards

Yes Legend Jon Anderson To Receive Prog God Award From Progressive Music Awards

Source: Glass Onyon PR - Keith James

Music legend Jon Anderson will be presented with the Prog God award at this year's Progressive Music Awards, in association with currencies.co.uk, which will be held at London’s Underglobe on September 1, 2016! This very special honor is awarded to musical innovators within the world of progressive rock music and sees Anderson joining such music luminaries as Rick Wakeman, Ian Anderson, Peter Gabriel and Tony Banks, in collecting the prestigious award. Says Jon “After all these years, it’s just wonderful ...

NEW JAZZ ADDS - WTJU Dave Rogers January 31, 2017 DK Anderson’s Cypher – 8th Window (Self-produced): DK Anderson made his first major jazz performances about 2003 and he has continued to be based in Pittsburgh. His is a unique style which he has broadened with the creation of Cypher. The group is a jamming style of band but with a soul and hard jazz base. There are very cool moments and some crazy outside moments during the set. Five of the compositions are Anderson originals which fall more into the jazz and soul jazz realm. They also perform a great spin on Jimi Hendrix’ “Manic Depression” and a totally outrageous take on “Caravan”.

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Quantum Truth

DK Anderson
2018

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8th Window

Self Produced
2017

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8th Window

DK Anderson
2016

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Videos

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