Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Durham.
Hi Daniel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
DD bio
Native Austinite Daniel Durham has been performing on stage for 25 years. At a very young age it was clear that he had the ear to be a musician. As a young teenager, Daniel was performing with some of Austin’s top jazz musicians.
In 2008, after years of performing professionally in Austin, Daniel was offered a scholarship to study at the world-renowned New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. His main teachers there included Rakalam Bob Moses, George Garzone, John Lockwood, Cecil McBee, Jamey Haddad, Oscar Stagnaro, Jerry Bergonzi, John McNeil, Jerry Leake, among other world-class musicians. Independently, Daniel has also studied extensively with the great Jovino Santos Neto.
After years of intensive training, Daniel returned home to Austin to very quickly become one of Austin’s top-call bassists. His unique harmonic sensibility, intricate knowledge of many world rhythms and keen sense of melody allow Daniel to fit into to any musical situation. From straight-ahead jazz as a founding member of Elias Haslanger’s Church on Monday, to playing salsa, cumbia, son and merengue with Luis Angel Ibañez, forró with Grupo Massa, rock with Alejandro Escovedo, pops with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, the blasphemously avant-garde Tonal Regions, modern Cuban Jazz with Yaniel Matos, Daniel’s bass work always seems to serve the music properly, regardless of style or aesthetic.
Due to severe illness and life-threatening health issues, Daniel disappeared from the Austin music scene for several years. By nothing short of a miracle, Daniel fought his way back to
health and is performing in Austin regularly. He currently holds a residency at Nica on 4th in downtown Austin.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In February of 2025, I was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. 20 years of hard living as one of the busiest musicians in town officially took its toll.
Tests indicated that 95% of people in that shape die within a year.
By nothing short of a miracle from God I got sober and my condition is manageable.
Now I’m playing all the time, writing and arranging music for different artists and am engaged to be married.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an experienced upright bassist, arranger and composer.
I play nearly every style from big-stage rock with Alejandro Escovedo, straight-ahead jazz with nearly every jazz musician in town, Cuban salsa, Forró with Grupo Massa, random jams with homeless street performers, avant-garde experimental music.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Best: The people. The laid-back style where we don’t have to impress anyone or shove our ways down anyone’s throat.
Least: Pushy attitudes
Pricing:
- Available for private lessons $125/hr
- Recording rates vary
Contact Info:
