Daniel Asbury Mixon, a prolific pianist virtuoso, was born in Harlem, New York, on August 19, 1949. He was raised in Brooklyn, New York. His grandparents and mother were musical influences, so he began his artistic expression at age 3. He was a tap dancer at Ruth Williams Dance Studio, and was also known as “The Show Stopper.” Danny went on to the High School of Performing Arts as a dance major. Danny heard jazz musicians while out at the Apollo Theatre in the afternoon with his grandfather. He decided then that he wanted to become a pianist, and he has never looked back. Danny started piano lessons at the age of 13. Sir Roland Hanna was his most memorable piano teacher. Danny was 17 when he was invited by Sam Brown, Patti Labelle, and the Blue Bells in Atlantic City to play. Two years later, he joined the Muse Quartet under Chris White. Danny was a regular player with Joe Lee Wilson, Betty Carter, and others from 1967 to 1970. In the late 70’s, he recorded extensively and also played with Charles Mingus in concert. He was a Brooklyn Baby Grand organist with Carlos Garnet and played at the Blue Coronet with Big Maybelle. He was an organist at Showman’s in the late 90’s. Danny has had the honor of working with Joe Williams, Lionel Hampton and Frank Foster. He continues to be a member of Frank Foster’s Loud Minority Big Band as well as his Non-Electric Company. He was honored to be a part of the inaugural Newport Jazz Festival at Sea on Queen Elizabeth 2. Max Roach was also a recipient of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation jazz appreciation award. In December 2002, he was presented with the Harlem Unsung Heroes of Afrikan Amerikan Classical Music Award. Danny had the opportunity to perform with Savion Glover at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. He also performed at the International “Fall in Jazz Festival”, in Milan, Italy. He performed on the Holland American Ms Zaandam Jazz Cruise for the second time from November 1-8 2003. Danny was honored in May 2004 by the National Jazz Museum of Harlem as part of a series called “Harlem Speaks.” This led to an invitation to the White House on June 22nd for Black Music Month. In recent years, Danny was interviewed by Lenore Raphael and New York Oneat Showman in Harlem on their show on Pure Jazz Radio. Marty Mark Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President, honored him along with other Ft Green artists in June and September 22 2011. This day was designated “Danny Mixon Day” for Brooklyn. He performed June 10th with the Lisle atkinson and the Neo Bass Choir. Later, he kicked off Jazzmobile’s summer series with the Danny Mixon quartet at Grant’s Tomb July 27th 2011. His greatest joy is performing with, composing and organizing for his own group, “The Danny Mixon Quartet” at Grant’s Tomb July 27, 2011. He has performed, toured, and/or recorded with Yusef lateef, Hank Crawford and Pharoah Sands. Danny was previously the musical director of the Legendary Lenox Lounge, and briefly was the Musical Director at the newly renovated Minton’s. Danny is an instructor and performer with the Jazzmobile, as well as teaching at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and private instruction. from www.dannymixonsounds.com
