Dan Siegel
Encyclopedia
Dan Siegel is a pianist
, composer
and record producer
. His earlier music has been described as new age, while his more recent work has been called contemporary jazz.
Siegel was born in Seattle, Washington
and raised in Eugene, Oregon
. He began piano
lessons at the age of eight, and started performing professionally as lead singer and guitar player in a rock band at the age of 12.
After receiving a degree in Music Composition from the University of Oregon
in 1976, he began recording his own compositions with his band. He also holds a degree in Jazz
Studies, and studied piano in Boston with Madame Challoff. In 1979, he was signed to Inner City Records, a New York
based independent jazz label.
Siegel's first recording was released in 1980. His second album, The Hot Shot (1981), reached No.1 on the Radio & Records Jazz Chart and remained for 10 weeks in the top 10 of Billboard's Jazz Chart. In 1983 he moved to Los Angeles
to pursue film and television work and a more active recording career. He has traveled and performed around the world.
(1986), and Universal Studios
TV series, Hard Copy
(1987). He has also worked as musical director and conductor on the late night CBS
TV show, Overtime... with Pat O'Brien (1990). He has played on numerous TV and film projects as a session player, including the Oscar winning film, The Usual Suspects
. His music was also featured on the Weather Channel's Local Forecast segments from 1986 to 1991.
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
. His earlier music has been described as new age, while his more recent work has been called contemporary jazz.
Siegel was born in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
and raised in Eugene, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
. He began piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
lessons at the age of eight, and started performing professionally as lead singer and guitar player in a rock band at the age of 12.
After receiving a degree in Music Composition from the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
in 1976, he began recording his own compositions with his band. He also holds a degree in Jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
Studies, and studied piano in Boston with Madame Challoff. In 1979, he was signed to Inner City Records, a New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
based independent jazz label.
Siegel's first recording was released in 1980. His second album, The Hot Shot (1981), reached No.1 on the Radio & Records Jazz Chart and remained for 10 weeks in the top 10 of Billboard's Jazz Chart. In 1983 he moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to pursue film and television work and a more active recording career. He has traveled and performed around the world.
Discography
- Spheres (2009) DSM
- Fables (2008) Native Language
- Departure (2006), Native Language
- Inside Out (2004), Native Language
- Along The Way: The Best Of Dan Siegel (2000), Sony Legacy
- Clairvoance (1998), Countdown
- Hemispheres (1995), Sunset Boulevard
- The Getaway (1992), Sin-Drome Records
- Going Home (1991), Epic Associated Records
- Late One Night (1989), CBS Associated Records
- Northern Nights (1987), CBS Associated Records
- Short Stories (1986), Epic Records
- On The Edge (1985), Epic Records
- Another Time, Another Place (1984), Epic Records, named by Keyboard Magazine as the best keyboard oriented fusion LP of the year
- Reflections (1983), Epic Records
- Dan Siegel (1982), Elektra Records
- Oasis (1981), Inner City
- The Hot Shot (1981), Inner City
- Nite Ride (1980), Inner City
Television and film work
Siegel's work as a television and film composer includes the score for the film Reform School GirlsReform School Girls
Reform School Girls is a 1986 American film directed by Tom DeSimone, starring Wendy O. Williams, Pat Ast, and Sybil Danning. It depicts a reform school for girls that is operated by a sadistic and evil warden, Sutter, and her henchwoman Edna.-Plot:...
(1986), and Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
TV series, Hard Copy
Hard Copy
Hard Copy is an American tabloid news television show that ran in syndication from 1989 to 1999. Hard Copy was aggressive in its use of questionable material on television, including gratuitous violence....
(1987). He has also worked as musical director and conductor on the late night CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
TV show, Overtime... with Pat O'Brien (1990). He has played on numerous TV and film projects as a session player, including the Oscar winning film, The Usual Suspects
The Usual Suspects
The Usual Suspects is a 1995 American neo-noir film written by Christopher McQuarrie and directed by Bryan Singer. It stars Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio del Toro, Chazz Palminteri, Kevin Pollak, Kevin Spacey and Pete Postlethwaite....
. His music was also featured on the Weather Channel's Local Forecast segments from 1986 to 1991.