Danny Combs
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Music
Press
"Nashville guitarist Danny Combs has already made his mark in the area as an instructor and also an active participant in music ministry at St. Bartholomew’s Church. His current CD spotlights Combs’ proficiency as an acoustic stylist, particularly as a finger-style exponent. The 14 instruments vary from introspective and country-flavored tunes to traditional works like “Bartholomew’s Jig” or “Going To Kansas.” He is comfortable in any genre, and while clearly a master technician, isn’t interested in dazzling via speed or intricacy. Instead, Combs emphasizes melodic development, pacing and grabbing listeners through complete presentation rather than flashes and fireworks. But he also includes the tuning patterns for each number, enabling those who want to chronicle the musical structure a chance to appreciate his playing as much as those attracted simply because of its lyrical charm and beauty." - The City Paper
Debut albums can sometimes receive kind notices, with reviewers not wanting to crush the spirit of an aspiring and developing musician. For Danny Combs' debut "Guitar Out Front" on Solid Air Records (a notable achievement to start), kindness isn't necessary; it's just a fine record and stands on its own. With clear and precise playing and finely crafted melodies, Combs captures the essence of modern fingerstyle songcraft. With a background in classical guitar, Combs releases his steel string in open tunings, allowing the extra ringing quality to hang in the air, with musical depth dropping from the notes. One song that reflects this is the final cut, "Going to Kansas", that takes the listener on a journey slow enough to enjoy but not too slow to want to get off. The jaunty "Here We Go" uses descending chord progressions to effectively emphasize movement and hope. Many of the songs have a slow, contemplative air, like "Contemplation", "Cedar Creek", and "Baby Steps". Bent strings and hammer-ons punctuate the solid melody on "Contemplation". "Stained Glass" is a bit darker in color than most of the songs on the CD, but its melody is riveting and entangles the listener. Celtic flavors in DADGAD tuning touch the upbeat "Bartholomew's Jig". Combs shows some well-groomed chops on this debut CD, the recording is top notch, and anyone who likes modern fingerstyle guitar would do well to give it a listen." - Minor 7th
"In the 1960’s John Fahey and a few others started a whole movement of guitar music based on traditional themes. Danny Combs is a young guitarist from Asheville, North Carolina whose music belongs to that tradition. On this album, his first on the Solid Air label, he does 14 original tunes. They are all very nicely done. Most have a slightly bluesy feel, much in the vein of the afore-mentioned Fahey. This is an album that will delight those who enjoy instrumental guitar music." - Victory Review Magazine
Discography
Pivitplex - King in a Rookery - 2006 Sony Records
Guitar Out Front - 2008 Solid Air Records
Photos
Bio
ingerstyle guitarist Danny Combs is a nationally recognized Solid Air Records recording artist and Grammy nominated Nashville based teacher. His debut album, Guitar Out Front, has received critical acclaim. The Nashville City Paper writes “Combs emphasizes melodic development, pacing and grabbing listeners through complete presentation rather than flashes and fireworks …clearly a master technician…” and The Minor 7th states, “…Combs captures the essence of modern fingerstyle song craft.”
Danny has a heart for teaching. He holds a Bachelors degree in Music and a Masters degree in Teaching Music. He teaches guitar classes and private lessons in Nashville. He has written about his experience teaching inner city students which was published in Acoustic Guitar Magazine. For two years he served on the board of Music4TNKids and helped raise over $100,000 to support music education programs in Middle Tennessee.
In addition to writing and recording his own music and teaching, he played classical guitar on the critically acclaimed sophomore record, "The King in a Rookery" (Hawley/Provident/Sony) by Pivitplex which CCM Magazine called "...an unbelievable alternative pop power masterpiece." He has also done guitar editing and arranging for multiple books, most notably The Christian Life Hymnal – The Accompanist Edition for Martingale Music and Hendrickson Publishers. For the past few years Danny has also played guitar for the music ministry at St. Bartholomew's Church in Nashville, Tennessee, voted "Best Church Music" by the Nashville Scene.
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