Music
Press
"Faulk plays some truly impressive tenor and soprano sax. The man's tone, musical ideas, and compositional style are out of sight!….This album contains some outstanding creative and imaginative compositions and arrangements done with impeccable and honest taste. Can't wait for Songbook, Vol. 2 to be released!... ****1/2"
- Stephen Fratallone, Jazz Connection Magazine
"It’s not just Faulk who sees the value in his compositions; his material has been recorded by artists including...Rufus Reid and James Spaulding. What they see in Faulk’s writing is what we hear: clever invention within a mainstream context; melodies that invade the mind; and changes that encourage inventive improvisation…With a repertoire of memorable material, and a solid group playing it, Faulk is clearly an artist to watch…" - John Kelman, JazzReview.com (also on EJazzNews and JazzViews.co.uk (UK)
"They swing hard throughout the set, especially on the blues based "Hopscotch" and our favorite, "Brotherly Love" with a slight R&B twist. The best news is that we're just chipping the iceberg off of Dan's songbook. Bring on Volume 2!" - O's PlaceJazz Newsletter
“Very strong saxophonist, first of all on the tenor, with a pure strong sound, especially in the middle registers….Dan's quartet plays his own compositions exclusively--and these are beautiful developed works, with a large field open to the solo improvisations of the leader, and (exhibiting) diversity. (Here there is, for example, a blues and a bossa nova, sustained basically in frameworks.) Dan does not attempt to strike the listener by the "rate of fire" game; more attention is given clarity and to the beauty of each played note.” - Leonid Auskern, Jazz Quad, (Russia)
"This music rewards repeated listening....Wonderful things lie ahead for this artist." - Cosmik.com
“I’m glad that I now know about his playing for I am surely richer and wiser for having heard him. He is a consummate artist who has a unique sound on the tenor and soprano saxophones.” - Paul Evoskevich, Saxophone Journal
“… Faulk can sigh with plaintive soudade and as easily hum the epitome of relaxed swing.” - --Jeff Kaliss, Jazz Times
“3 ½ stars” (out of four) “…Faulk has created a strong and individual statement….” - Review of Dan’s CD “Focusing In,” The Penguin Guide to Jazz
“Tenor saxophonist Dan Faulk's work was already cut out for him just having to keep up with J.J. Johnson, but since he does that so admirably, Johnson gave him a truly daunting task: performing the John Coltrane classic, "Blue Train." Faulk takes this ticket to failure and turns in a triumphant reading instead…”
- D.J. Johnson, Review of J.J. Johnson’s “Heroes,” www.cosmik.com
“Dan Faulk is one of the hot, young tenormen in the United States.”
- Review of Dan’s CD “Spirits in the Night,” www.allmusic.com
Discography
AS A LEADER
1. Dan Faulk Quartet, "The Dan Faulk Songbook, Vol. 1,” Ugli Fruit Productions/ Feb '03 (UFP 012)
(with Dan Faulk [tenor and soprano saxophones], Carlton Holmes [p], Ugonna Okegwo [b], Will Terrill [d]) --all Dan Faulk compositions/arrangements
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2. Dan Faulk Trio/Quartet, "Spirits In The Night," Fresh Sound/ Winter '97 (FSNT 024 CD)
(with Dan Faulk [tenor and soprano saxophones], Myron Walden [alto], Joe Martin [bass], Jorge Rossy [drums])
--Includes 5 Dan Faulk compositions/arrangements
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3. Dan Faulk Quartet, "Focusing In," CrissCross/Oct'93 (CRISS 1076 CD)
(with Dan Faulk [tenor and soprano saxophones], Barry Harris [p], Rufus Reid [b], Carl Allen [d])
--Includes 2 Dan Faulk compositions/arrangements
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AS A SIDEMAN
4. James Spaulding Quintet “Round To It!”, Speetones/2006 (SP 1002)
(with James Spaulding [alto saxophone and flute], Dan Faulk [tenor and soprano saxophones], Isaac Ben Ayala [piano], Eric Lemon [bass], Reggie Nicholson [drums])
--Includes 2 Dan Faulk compositions/arrangements
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5. Vince Ector, “Renewal of the Spirit,” Mambo Maniacs Records/2005
Vincent Ector --drums, percussion; Bobby Watson --alto sax; Eddie Allen --trumpet; Dan Faulk --tenor sax, soprano sax; John diMartino —piano; Leon Lee Dorsey --contrabass.
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6. Lewis Porter Quintet plus Dave Liebman, "Second Voyage,” Altrusonic/Fall 2002 (AS120)
(with Lewis Porter [piano], Dan Faulk [tenor and soprano saxophones], Harvie S. [bass], Marcus Baylor [drums], Dave Liebman [saxophone])
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7. James Spaulding Quintet, "Live at Up Over Jazz Café: Blues Up and Over," Speetones/Fall 2000 (SP1001)
(with James Spaulding [alto saxophone and flute], Dan Faulk [tenor and soprano saxophones], Isaac Ben Ayala [piano], Eric Lemon [bass], Reggie Nicholson [drums])
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8. Eddie Allen Quintet, "Summer Days," Enja/Fall 2000 (ENJ 93882)
(with Eddie Allen [trumpet], Dan Faulk [tenor and soprano saxophones], Anthony Wonsey [piano], Richie Goods [bass], Cindy Blackman [drums])
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9. J.J. Johnson, "Heroes,” Verve/1998 (VERVE 314528864-2)
(with J.J. Johnson [trombone], Dan Faulk [tenor and soprano saxophone], Don Sickler [flugelhorn], Wayne Shorter [tenor saxophone], Renee Rosnes [piano], Rufus Reid [bass], Victor Lewis [drums])
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10.. J.J. Johnson, "The Brass Orchestra,” Verve/July '97 (VERVE 314537321-2)
(big band featuring Dan Faulk [tenor and soprano saxophones]; Jon Faddis, Eddie Henderson, Joe Wilder, Lew Soloff, Earl Gardner, Byron Stripling, Danny Cahn, Joe Shepley [trumpets]; J.J. Johnson, Robin Eubanks, Jim Pugh, Steve Turre, Dave Taylor, Douglas Purviance, Joe Alessi [trombones]; Bruce Bonvissuto, Alan Raph [euphoniums]; Howard Johnson, Andy Rogers [tubas]; Francesa Corsi [harp]; Renee Rosnes [piano]; Rufus Reid [bass]; Victor Lewis [drums]; Freddie Santiago, Milton Cardona, Kevin Johnson [percussion])
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11. James Spaulding, "Blues Nexus," Muse/Nov.'94 (MCD 5467)
(with James Spaulding [alto,flutes], Dan Faulk [tenor and soprano saxophones], Ronnie Mathews [p], Ray Drummond [b], Louis Hayes [d])
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12. The Ballad Album, "Last Night When We Were Young," Classical Action/'94 (#1001)
(with Rufus Reid [b], Akira Tana [d], Rob Schneiderman [p],Craig Bailey [alto], Dan Faulk [tenor and soprano saxophones])
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13. TanaReid, "Blue Motion," Evidence/Jan.'93 (ECD 22075-2)
(personnel same as #10)
--Includes a Dan Faulk composition/arrangement
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14. TanaReid, "Passing Thoughts,” Concord/'92 (CCD-4505)
(personnel same as #10)
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15. New York Unit, "Tribute to George Adams," King/'92 (KICJ 156)
(with John Hicks [p], Richard Davis [b], Santi DeBriano [b], Dan Faulk [tenor and soprano saxophones], Javon Jackson [tenor], George Adams [tenor], Tatsuya Nakamura [d])
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Photos
Bio
Celebrated tenor/soprano saxophonist Dan Faulk has recorded on several CDs with many of jazz's legendary masters including Barry Harris, Jimmy Heath, J.J. Johnson, Wayne Shorter, and James Spaulding. For nearly 2 years, Dan was a full-time member of the J.J. Johnson Quintet until J.J. retired from music in December '97. Dan recorded on 2 CD's with Johnson for Verve Records. Since July '97, Dan has regularly been a featured soloist with Steve Turré and the Sanctified Shells. Dan has 3 CD's as a leader. Dan's first CD, Focusing In, made such an impact that it was chosen to be featured on the cover of the 1995 Bielefelder Katalog--Europe's most widely-circulated and extensive jazz discography. In addition to his extensive performance career, Dan served as Director of Jazz Studies and a professor at the State University of New York at Stony Brook 1999-2003 and as a professor at City University of New York-York College 2003-2004. He is currently focusing on his performance career and writing a book on jazz improvisation.
Dan was raised in the West, mainly in Arizona. At the age of 8, he began playing the alto saxophone, but at 14, switched to his primary instrument--the tenor. Shortly after, he began to work and perform throughout the area in various musical settings. In 1987, Dan attended Boston's Berklee College of Music and studied with tenor saxophonist Bill Pierce. A year and a half later, he transferred to New Jersey's William Paterson College and continued his musical studies with Rufus Reid, Joe Lovano, Harold Mabern, Steve Turré, Norman Simmons, and other members of WPC's outstanding staff. Also, during this time, Dan studied with the legendary pianist Barry Harris and the illustrious saxophonist/composer Benny Golson. In 1991, he finished his studies at William Paterson and received a Bachelor's Degree in Music. Soon after graduation, he was hired by WPC's Director of Jazz Studies and Performance--the world-renowned bassist Rufus Reid--to join his co-led TanaReid quintet. Dan was a continual member of this ensemble for three years and recorded two albums with the group. Dan received his M.A. in Jazz History in 1999 from the prestigious Rutgers University.
Dan has performed with several groups including the Cindy Blackman Quartet, the Henry Butler Quartet, the J.J. Johnson Quintet, Ronnie Mathews' Sextet, the Mingus Dynasty, the Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra, the James Spaulding Quintet, TanaReid, and Steve Turré and the Sanctified Shells to name a few. He has performed throughout the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Greece, the West Indies, Holland, Italy, Israel, Portugal and Turkey at many of jazz's top clubs including New York City's "Blue Note" and "Sweet Basil," Oakland's "Yoshi's," Toronto's "Top of the Senator," and Cologne, Germany's "Subway." Some of Dan's highlight performances in the jazz festival scene have included the "Playboy Jazz Festival" in Los Angeles, France's "Jazz a Vienne Festival," Holland's "North Sea Jazz Festival", Canada's "du Maurier Jazz Festival" (in Vancouver and Toronto), and NYC's "Panasonic Jazz Festival."
As a leader, Dan has toured with his own ensembles as well as with the collaborative group Quintet X. His first release, Focusing In, is available on the Criss Cross Jazz label. Dan's 2nd release, Spirits In The Night, is available on the Fresh Sound Records label. Dan's 3rd release, The Dan Faulk Songbook, Vol.1, is available on the Ugli Fruit Productions label. Dan is a prolific composer having penned over 100 compositions to date, 24 of which have been recorded on 7 different CD's. His compositions have been performed by various musicians, including Benny Golson, Barry Harris, Ronnie Mathews, Rufus Reid, and James Spaulding. Located in New York, Dan works as a freelance performer, recording artist, composer/arranger, and a collegiate and private instructor.
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