Fusion Mafiosi (Danny John)

It’s fusion, Jim, but not as we know it. Mind altering jazz-metal for the thinking music aficionado.

https://soundcloud.com/dannyjohntrio/sets/mr-twister

Opening with the spiky ‘Drift’, it’s immediately clear that this is a band that ventures into the unusual, the experimental, and on occasion the downright bonkers. The track’s frenetic and splintered riffing skitters madly throughout its nine minutes of madness before coming to a shockingly abrupt end, leading into the warbly deep tones of ‘Would’, where the guitar works in tandem with the sly bass work, and by the end things wander into a dreamy Miles Davis style noodling. By this point it becomes quite obvious that this isn’t really going the be the most mainstream or accessible of recordings, but its going to be a goldmine for anyone with a musically open mind, who will no doubt relish the metal-jazz-funk fusion that’s on offer here. The title track, ‘Mr Twister’ shifts playfully between softer and louder tones, echoing the post rock tradition of quiet-loud-quiet-loud, but here the Danny John Trio manages to deliver their own take on that method, dousing it in metal and giving the whole thing a damn good shake. This is an album that delivers on so many levels, with plenty of rabbit holes to get lost in, so let Mr Twister carry you away.

http://www.dannyjohn.net

By Chris Marsh - Skopemag

Virtuoso musicians, Danny John (guitar), Marcos Gil (bassist) and drummer James Dennett – The Danny John Trio - have created a strange brew of Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Van Halen and even some jazz fusion. The exciting Mr. Twister lives up to its name. The album is full of sonic highs and euphoric squelching. What surprised me the most as a reviewer were the subtle change ups and keen storytelling. Each song felt different and evoked an array of images.

“Drift” is an intense, crunchy-guitar driven track. The chords are aggressive, yet, slide alongside an imaginary line of fun and blissful chaos. This was my favorite track of the group.

“Would” feels melodic and airy. The title track has a catchy baseline; the song builds momentum and then drops into a smoother rider. This is all guitar! “Whole” escapes to a more jazz/bluesy space. There’s a crunchy, dark scratching shred that is a distraction, but the changing fusion landscape is interesting.

“Predilection” is an insanely-fun track. It’s trippy and takes a bite at you!

The Danny John Trio writes that “Badland is a song about a journey into Living Dreams, complete isolation, desolation, purgatory and the never ending quest for unattainable tranquillity, perfection, recognition and ultimately, peace.” I would agree. “Badland” feels lazy in the sense it lets your mind wanter aimlessly; the guitar captains the numbing. The guitar slowly builds and expands the colors like a spilled can of paint. It’s beautiful.

“Lighthouse” to me had the most percussion. The quick tempo and rapid feel made for an awe-inspiriting experience. - Hot Indie News

Yesterday I had never even heard of Daniel John and today he is one of my favorite guitarists ever.
Danny grew up in Canberra, Australia. He picked up the guitar at age eight and taught himself to play. After gaining an enthusiastic response in Australia he dropped everything and moved to Hollywood where he attended Musicians Institute of Technology. After three years of studying and playing with the best he felt like he was ready. He moved back to Australia and played with the best musicians Australia has to offer.
His latest venture “The Danny John Trio” is Daniel John (Guitars); James Dennett (Drums) and Marcos Gil (Bass).

Their second album, Mr. Twister is ablaze with flashy, raucous, intense musical masterpieces. From the moment I hit play I was in guitar shredder heaven.

I hate it when guitar virtuosos put out albums with a bunch of singing with little guitar solos in-between. Mr. Twister delivers everything I ever wanted to hear on an instrumental guitar album. The shortest song is over 5 minutes long.
Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t just a bunch of heavy metal shredding for the sake of fitting as many notes into a measure as you can. No, each song on this album is a treasure trove of diverse styles, odd meters and vast dynamics, amazingly clean sweep picking, plus incredible bass and drum solos.

Mr. Twister starts out heavy with “Drift.” A lone distorted rhythm guitar progresses into a full out attack of guitar voodoo. It’s a nine minute song, but it never gets boring. “Would” rivals the group “The Mars Volta” for having the most genres in one song. The title track “Mr. Twister” is a lesson in playing in every meter except 4/4. “Lighthouse” makes a game of changing keys every two beats.
This album was recorded in 17 hours, but you would never guess. It’s a testament to the amazing talent of these artists. If they were painters this would be their Mona Lisa. If you are looking for a perfect Rock/ Jazz Fusion album, this is it. Look no further. - Muzik Reviews

Many instrumental guitar trios capably blend jazz, rock and blues elements,but the one led by Australian guitarist Danny John takes a harder stance. With feet firmly planted on the metallic side of the fence, John, bassist Marcos Gil and drummer James Dennett occasionally dip a toe into other genres through tempo shifts, key changes and dynamics to create a compelling Down Under variation of instrumental rock that's suitably bottom-heavy.

Three years of studying at the Musicians Institute of Technology in Hollywood, CA, and rubbing elbows with Tribal Tech's co-founding guitarist Scott Henderson and bassist Gary Willis, trained John to think further outside the box. "Drift," the opening track to his Aussie trio's latest CD, Mr. Twister, starts out with a thunderous guitar riff before serpentining into 7/4 half-time and 7/8 double-time meters.

The subsequent "Would" lightens the mood a touch through its waltzing cadence, although John's burning solos -- in both the main theme and frantic midsection -- hardly conjure up images of ballroom dancing. John, Gil and Dennert seem to try to skirt standard 4/4 time whenever possible, and make a shell game of the meter in the epic title track. With its multiple sections and array of guitar tones, the extended piece hints at Canadian rock trio Rush without bassist Geddy Lee's high-pitched vocals.


"Whole" flirts with the blues, albeit in 9/8 time, and offers jazz nuances through John's nimble, often abstract picking and Gil's solo. Dennett then takes the spotlight. The drummer's middle break is a lesson in double-bass drum footwork and limb independence, and his pacing also keeps the funky-yet-frenetic, 4/4-timed "Predilection" from spiraling out of control.

The opening atmospherics of "Badland" work through the unorthodox note choices by Gil, yet the near-ballad goes into overdrive sections as well. And the closing "Lighthouse," after Dennert's muscular intro, features not only another statement-making Gil solo but a theme that constantly changes keys.

John's playing and compositional prowess collectively echo guitarists from rocker Steve Vai to fellow Aussie fusion artist Frank Gambale, and bands from Rush to Georgia instrumental rock icons the Dixie Dregs. Clearly, there's a new thunder Down Under. - Abstract Logix

Effigy Results Certification

Dear Danny,

It gives us great pleasure to inform you that you did really well and even have some nominations during the First Annual Fame Games Effigy Awards 2007, and here is the summary of your results.

Award Summary for The Danny John Trio
Nominations As an Artist within an Effigy Category: 2
Song Nominations within Effigy Categories: 5
Artist Nominations
Best Artist in Style - Hard Rock - Reached top 10 nominations
Best Instrumental Performance - Reached top 40 nominations
Song Nominations
Best Song in Style - Hard Rock
"Stain" - Reached top 20 nominations
"What Remains Of Ravi Shankar" - Selected as one of the top 5 nominations
"Three Days" - Reached top 10 nominations
Most Popular Song
"Prometheus" - Reached top 200 nominations
"What Remains Of Ravi Shankar" - Reached top 200 nominations
Total Top 5 Nominations: 1

We wish you continued successes in everything you undertake and we´re looking forward to seeing much more of you on Fame Games!

Best regards
The MMI / Fame Games Crew

PS - If you need to contact us, please use this email: info@famegamesradio.com
PPS - To listen to the show go here
PPPS - make sure you check out your artist profile (http://www.meermusic.com/dannyjohntrio)
- www.MeerMusic.com

Australian guitar demigod – signs with W.O.A International
By W.O.A International
Dated: Nov 08, 2008
W.O.A management, a part of the W.O.A International group, signs on Danny John, Australia’s foremost
Guitar Virtuoso and Composer to a three-year management and marketing deal for India and the Middle
East.
Goa, India – W.O.A International, through its management division W.O.A Management, signs on the
Danny John Trio, a jazz rock trio from Australia to a three-year management and marketing deal. This
partnership will see W.O.A Management represent the band across India and the Middle East.
“Signing on Danny John and his band is a sign of our diversity and openness to various genres and
musicians who are truly exceptional and we see immense potential for an act like this in India and Dubai”
says Pete Saunders, V.P. Artiste Management, “they have a strong following in Australia and are now all
set to enter the Indian markets.”
Danny John, is a rare gifted Composer and Guitar Virtuoso whose style and presence has been compared to
Eddie Van Halen and Frank Gambale. “Our music is best termed as Progressive Jazz Rock Fusion with the
relentless pursuit to De-Fragment Rhythm & Harmony” says Danny John, leader of the Danny John Trio.
The deal with W.O.A Management will see the band touring India and the Middle East over the next two
years. With the excellent and one of a kind support system for artists that W.O.A International has, that
consists of W.O.A Events, W.O.A Artiste Management, W.O.A Records, W.O.A Studios, W.O.A Radio
and W.O.A Music marketing, the Danny John Trio is determined to be reckoned as the premiere Jazz Rock
Fusion act.
Danny John is to be featured on various music channels with the release of a new W.O.A Records
compilation CD featuring some of the best W.O.A talent. The bands new album will also be released
simultaneously across the India and the Middle East.
###
ABOUT W.O.A INTERNATIONAL
The W.O.A International Group houses W.O.A Records, W.O.A Studios, W.O.A Management, W.O.A
Events and W.O.A Radio.
Formed in 1998 by World Music star Oliver Sean, W.O.A is a global entertainment Co. thats home to the
World's best Independent acts.
Category Music, Arts, Event
Tags Woa International, Danny John Trio, Woa Management, Woa Records, Oliver Sean, Goa, India
Music, Independent Music
Email Click to email author
Phone +91 9326126670
Fax +1-303-379-6425
Address B7, Shangri La Apts., St. Mary's Colony, Miramar
City/Town Panaji
State/Province Goa - WOA Records

Guitar wizard Danny John and his band are his first collaborative project by the members of Danny John Trio, Danny John, James Dennett, Marcos Gil, and friends, Justin Defreece (Guitar), Derek Sherinian (Keyboards). They are called Fusion Mafiosi.

The first single "Fall From Grace," clocks in at 11:36. It is an amazing musical jam session that will remind you of the best jazz-rock-fusion from bands like Return To Forever and Mahavishnu Orchestra at times. After 10 minutes he launches into full head-on metal riffs and some shredding.

So if you are looking for a taste of jazz-fusion, metal, and flat out shredding all in under 12 minutes, then you will definitely find great appreciation for "Fall From Grace."

Danny John is a superb six-sting maestro that I would not mind hearing a lot more! - Keith Hannaleck