‘THE GERRY MULLIGAN OF THE BASSOON’ Daniel was recently showcased at London’s prestigious jazz club ‘Pizza On The Park’ for two consecutive evenings. Billed as the ‘Gerry Mulligan of the Bassoon’, read below what critics had to say about his performances! ‘Mr. Jazz Bassoon...drew a bigger crowd than ever’ “Returning for his fifth engagement at London’s Pizza On The Park, Daniel Smith drew a bigger crowd than ever, so clearly word is getting around. The main thing to report is that his playing is also better than ever. Playing with a noticeable sense of style and ease, and confident in his abilities to make the bassoon into a real jazz voice, he keeps on growing in stature as a jazz artist. It has been said that Daniel Smith is to the bassoon what James Galway is to the flute or John Williams to the guitar. Soon it will not be necessary to make such comparisons. It will be “Mr. Jazz Bassoon” and it will be said of others that they are to their instrument what Daniel Smith is to the bassoon.” Mel Cooper Reviewer, Inflight Magazine London: ‘Along the pathway to worldwide acclaim’ “If you’ve never heard a bassoon swinging, now’s your chance! Daniel Smith was showcased in two consecutive nights of jazz at London’s 'Pizza On The Park'. We caught the first night and can report substantial changes from when we last heard him a year or so ago. His playing is surprisingly more fluent on up-tempo numbers, he’s good at be-bop, and his tone has changed to a more hip sound. The programme included many tunes from the standards songbook. Perhaps the most satisfying of the evening was ‘Out of Nowhere’, where he stretched out in several choruses, playing a distinctive and continuous line of improvisation which was enthusiastically received by the crowd. All in all, Daniel is progressing nicely along the pathway to worldwide acclaim. This was an unusual and satisfying evening which points the way to the continuing development of a unique talent - and sound - in jazz.” Dick Laurie Hot News Edinburgh: ‘A unique and powerful voice in the world of jazz’ “Even the most knowledgeable jazz fans in the audience at the Queen Charlotte Rooms were treated to something completely different – the bassoon as a lead instrument in a jazz band. The occasion was a performance by a genuine virtuoso, Daniel Smith. With a huge reputation in the world of classical music, he is now building a very deserved reputation as a unique and powerful voice in the world of jazz. A repertoire ranging from classic ballads to hard bop, all handled in his distinctive manner, with, of course, a very distinctive sound. To anyone who may doubt the suitability of such an instrument for this music, I can do no more than say: Go and hear him for yourself!” Jim Welsh Director, Edinburgh Jazz Projects Festival de Jazz Música Creativa de Ciutat Vella 2002 (Barcelona) “With an unusual instrument for jazz, he captivated the audience in a crowded hall on both nights…the American artist Daniel Smith left an unforgettable impression in our City, the way only great stars can do!” Daniel Negro Director, Jazz Festival, Ciutat Vella Glasgow: ‘Highlight of the festival!’ “Abandon all preconceptions of the limitations of the bassoon. In Daniel Smith's hands this is an instrument that plays upon the soul. His jazz concert was a highlight of the festival!” Neil Baxter Festival promoter, Glasgow 'City of Love' Festival WOLVERHAMPTON MUSIC SOCIETY As James Galway is to the flute, so Daniel Smith is to the bassoon! Ranging in the course of two hours from the formality of baroque to an exciting jazz session, interspersed with helpful but uncondescending details about this shamefully underestimated instrument, the recital was a revelation in every way. Thanks, Daniel, for reminding us what true joy can feel like. John Higgs Trustee, City of Wolverhampton Music Society CHESTER MUSIC SOCIETY In the hands of Daniel Smith. the bassoon took on a new character. Backed by the talented and enthusiastic members of BASSOON AND BEYOND, he proved that great jazz is enhanced by this unusual combination. For those with preferences for classical playing, the concert was an opportunity to hear it performed by a superb classical bassoonist. Our audience comments were very favourable and we hope to have the chance to hear this wonderful artist again in the future. - Geoffrey Hallett, Honorary Secretary HARLINGTON FESTIVAL Daniel Smith is clearly a very talented musician who has developed a new role for the bassoon as a solo instrument. A capacity audience heard music from many styles, including be-bop, swing, blues and ballads and composers ranging from Dizzy Gillespie and Sonny Rollins to Duke Ellington. His quartet was most interesting to watch and listen to; clearly having fun and responding to each other's individual musical talents. - Michael and Vivien Powles MACCLESFIELD MUSIC SOCIETY With Daniel Smith, the bassoon as a solo instrument becomes something magical. His varied classical programme for the first half of the concert, with timely introductions, was an eye-opener and a delight. But a bassoon playing jazz? Can this be true? Indeed it was, with the unique sound of the instrument bringing a new dimension to the world of jazz while raising the tempo of the second half of the evening in more ways than one! The audience loved it! - Shirley Jarvis, Concert Secretary LYTHAM ST. ANNES MUSIC CIRCLE In an evening of music divided between classical and jazz, our audience was treated to a broad spectrum of music, ranging from Elgar, Mozart, Verdi and Vivaldi and onto many exciting jazz pieces. In the jazz segment of the programme, Daniel Smith's bassoon triumphantly led his quartet with infectious, foot tapping and brilliant music. Improvisation at its best; a visible joy for the audience with wide-ranging selections from blues to Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker - John Simpson, President SOWERBY MUSIC SOCIETY, North Yorkshire Splendid jazz arrangements matched by the immaculate playing and glorious tone of Daniel Smith's bassoon in a wide and varied programme of classical and jazz. BASSOON AND BEYOND was a joy and a revelation. This was not just an evening for the jazz connoisseur, it was an evening for music lovers of all kinds and ages. And love it they did! - Martin Hooper, Concerts Secretary AYLSHAM CONCERTS, Holt Aylsham Concerts introduced another 'first' with Daniel Smith and BASSOON AND BEYOND. The audience was treated to a concert of first-rate jazz and an illuminating insight into the musical capabilities of the bassoon. It was a joyous introduction to an unusual combination and we plan to have the pleasure of a return engagement with Daniel Smith soon. Derek Ardern, Chairman STRATHDEE MUSIC AT ABOYNE After hearing outstanding classical artistry during the first half of the programme, the concept of then hearing amplified bassoon performing jazz had people shaking their heads in uncomprehending disbelief. Daniel Smith, the acclaimed bassoonist from New York expanded our aural experience with a display of virtuosity which really had people talking afterwards. Hearing a bassoon swing with this truly great musician, implausible though it might sound, was just amazing. - Owens Jenkins, Deeside Piper THE QUAY THEATRE It was a privilege and a great pleasure to have Daniel Smith with BASSOON AND BEYOND on our series. Delightful jazz arrangements complemented the virtuoso playing of Daniel Smith and his talented accompanists. One of our patrons, a jazz enthusiast for over 40 years, said that it was the most enjoyable evening of music he had ever experienced, to which I agree. - Richard Way, Director PIZZA ON THE PARK, London With his quartet BASSOON AND BEYOND, Daniel Smith gave an elegant performance at Londons ‘Pizza On The Park’, showing that the bassoon can not only make convincing jazz but that it can make sounds of great beauty. His musical voice is fluent and he has obviously listened much to Getz, Rollins and Coltrane. His formidable technique means that he can take up-tempo numbers confidently and has some pretty furious runs to display. Go and hear him! This is a unique voice in jazz. - Dick Laurie, HOT NEWS ‘Bassooner The Better' Daniel Smith, the internationally recognized virtuoso of the instrument. is bringing the bassoon into greater prominence with his jazz quartet BASSOON AND BEYOND. His deep, doleful tone brought a new dimension to many familiar jazz classics, while making full use of his dexterity, delivering impressive runs on such up-tempo pieces such as 'A Night In Tunisia' and a fascinating rendition of' ‘Blue Monk'. - Keith Howell, JAZZ EXPRESS Bassoon virtuoso Daniel Smith can make his difficult instrument dance like Gerry Mulligan's baritone sax; backed by his acclaimed jazz quartet BASSOON AND BEYOND and the talented members of this group on piano, bass and drums. - Jack Massarik, LONDON EVENING STANDARD 'Gigs Not To Have Missed'. Acclaimed bassoonist Daniel Smith was making jazz history with great renditions of Horace Silver's 'Sister Sadie and 'Peace' in his repeat engagement at London's ‘Pizza On The Park’. Looks like a rocket launcher but sounds like Gerry Mulligan. - Jonathan Abbott, BOZ