Dan Cray is one the most exciting young jazz musicians today. Jazz Radio Berlin described him as a “key figure” in guiding jazz into the new millennium. The Indianapolis Star said that his playing had the “both the depth of jazz piano at its finest.” Dan was a finalist in the American Pianists Association Cole Porter Fellowship 2004 and 2003 Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition 2003. He has also performed all over the globe with his group and other musicians. Dan has been a member of a group that includes Clark Sommers, drummer and friend Greg Wyser Pratte for the past 10 years. They’ve recorded four albums together as the Dan Cray Trio: Who Cares (2001), Save Us (Blujazz 2004), and Over Here Over Heard(Crawdad 2008). You can find out more about the group by clicking here! Dan has had the privilege to collaborate with a variety of jazz musicians and ensembles including Orbert Davis and Orbert Davis, Bobby Broom and Ira Sullivan. Dan also frequently works in a duo setting with Geof Bradfield, a saxophonist. Dan joined the Chicago Improvisers Orchestra, which was led by Elbio Barilari, a highly regarded composer. At Millenium Park, Chicago, and other venues around the city, performances of multi-movement suites in honor of Lincoln and Obama were given. Dan splits his time between New York City and Chicago. He continues his career while completing a Masters at NYU. He studied under Donald Isaak at Northwestern University and Michael Kocour. from http://originarts.com
