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B i o g r a p h y

Dan Adams
Director of Percussion Studies, Seattle Pacific University

http:://myhome.spu.edu/danadams/index.htm

 

Dan began his music career at the age of 16 as a student of Howie Robbins, former drummer with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. He continued his formal study and received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Idaho and his Master of Music degree from the University of Washington.  His principal teachers have been Howie Robbins (Stan Kenton), Joe Morello (Dave Brubeck), Jim Chapin, Peter Erskine (Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Weather Report), Babatunde Olatunji (Drums of Passion), Adebisi Adeleke (talking drum master) and Tom Collier.

He has over 45 years teaching experience as a private percussion instructor and has served two years as the District Music Supervisor for the Rainier School District.  Since 1978 he has served as a special percussion consultant to the Olympia School District and has been the Director of Percussion Studies at Seattle Pacific University since 1988.

Dan has performed with the Ashi Opera of Japan, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Allegro Dance Series, the Pacific Northwest Chamber Chorus, Orchestra Seattle, the Olympic Brass Ensemble, Choir of the Sound and the Seattle Pro Musica among others.  His musical theater credits include the Village Theater, Chinook Dinner Theater, the Civic Light Opera, Tacoma Actors Guild, Washington Center for the Performing Arts, Seattle Prep Theater, Green River CC, Renton Civic Theater and the Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society @ the Bagley Wright Theater

He has shared the stage with such artists as Johnny Cash, Albert Collins, Ricky Skaggs, Pam Tillis, Delbert McClinton, Hal Ketchum, Neil McCoy, the Bellemy Brothers, Tim McGraw, Kathy Matea, Chaka Kahn, Teresa James, Jimmy Hall, Tommy Castro and Etta James. 

His recording credits include Soni Ventorum, The Diamonds, Ventures guitarist Nokie Edwards, Primo Kim, The Mazeltones, The Lucky Garcia Band, Gene Nygaard, Forrest Lee Jr., contemporary artist VEO, Denny Goodhew, Greg Adams of Tower of Power, Stephanie Porter (Radio Theater), Alley Kattz and Orchestra Seattle.

He has performed locally with Messenger, Stephanie Porter, Kevin Wade Juma,  Nokie Edwards of the Ventures, The Jumas, Ridler Brothers, Island Cowboys, Buckaroo Blues Band, Gene Nygaard, Marlin James Band, Aaron Crawford, Alley Kattz and the Lucky Garcia Band among others.

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