Daniel Sadownick stopped by my office on April 8, 1999, to discuss his career, his passions and influences.

Daniel started out a drumset player, became highly influenced by the Santana band and while attending New York University as a music major (he received a Master's degree from this university) he would spend lunch times jamming with the conga drummers in Washington Square Park, across the street from the school. The energy and emotion that was displayed by these musicians made up for their lack of a complete understanding of the clavé rhythm pattern. This rhythmic bible of Afro-Carribean music was something that Daniel learned from master conguero, Frankie Malabe. Daniel loved the way Frankie taught as he not only brought to the picture the folklore basics, but was able to take this foundation and bring it into other spheres and a higher level.

When I asked about the way Daniel tunes his drums, he referred to the tune A Love Supreme, by his all time musical hero, John Coltrane who's melody was how he tuned his drums. The drums he played for the demo he did for me were still in the studio from Patato's visit the day before and it was the same tuning as Patato uses. The root, to the minor third to the fourth.

Daniel loves the roots but really prefers most to work in the jazz idiom. He has recently been working with the band Screaming Headless Torsos where he gets to play a challenging combination of styles in this fusion setting. What triggered my bringing Daniel in for an interview was the outstanding job he did on a Donald Brown jazz recording I had heard on jazz station, WBGO.

Listen to Daniel tell of his life and at the end of the recording, he illustrates his approach in a couple of styles.

To learn more about Daniel Sadownick, CLICK HERE.