Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny Mancuso.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Danny. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Thank You VoyageLA for having me! As I sit here in my dimly lit Long Beach apartment I reflect back on my musical journey to this present moment. Growing up I was blessed with the creative gene in Music, Art and Writing. I got started at an early age and I have been playing music for most of my life on Tenor, Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet and Vocals…
It definitely hasn’t been a straight line and I’ve been down many different avenues in life but I always came back to music! My parents always encouraged me and would take me to smokey Jazz Clubs as a child when it was legal to do so.
I grew up in Sherman Oaks, California and it seems as though my future was set into motion by some very powerful and influential people in my life. I was given a clarinet by Lifetime Grammy Achievement and Multi-Grammy Winning Big Band Leader Woody Herman at the age of 5 which got the ball rolling!
…No Pressure!!! (Sarcasm!)
Woody was my Mentor and inspiration and I was blessed to have played saxophone with him on a few different occasions as his featured soloist! We would always spend time together when he was in town at family dinners and parties. I had the chance to meet a lot of Jazz Greats in the process Stan Getz, Sal Nistico, Bill Chase, just to name a few!
I also studied music Privately for many years with successful studio musician Don Raffell.
After High School, I went to Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA for two years straight without a break! I was all gung-ho and I was on the Dean’s List but got really burntout.. pace yourself children!
While I was there someone heard me playing in a practice room and asked if I wanted a gig for the night. I said “Sure” and as it turned out it was with the Famous 70’s Soul group “The Stylistics” so that was my first professional gig!
I came back to California and started playing in various original and cover bands all over Los Angeles… I did studio work on recordings, Movie soundtrack work and played at most of the popular places around Los Angeles like The Roxy, Rainbow Room, The Kibitz Room, Disneyland, The Troubador, Madame Wongs, The LightHouse, Magic Mountain, Don the Beachcomers, Knotts Berry Farm, The Playboy Club, Private Parties, etc. etc.
I became a single dad with a 15 month old son and when he was around 6 or 7 years old we toured all over the country out of Nashville for six years with a 10 piece R&B and Funk Band on the Nightclub, Frat party, Casino and Wedding Circuit! I’ve also played music in Hawaii and Canada.
One time while playing music in Knoxville Tennessee I once had to smuggle my boy out of a Frat Party in an empty Bass Drum case as the party was being raided by the police and fire dept… unbeknownst to the band the frat guys had converted an empty building into a party house.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being around all these Jazz Superstars at an early age, I never felt I was quite good enough, especially at ten years old I was always comparing myself to these seasoned pro’s that I would watch with my parents so I was always striving to get better at my craft!
Being a single Dad and trying to eek out a living as a musician was rather difficult at times so in the process I’ve had many jobs from Artist to Accounting, Lifeguard to Limo Driver, Picture Framing Mgr. to Photo Film Processor, Beverly Hills Talent Agency Mgr. to Target Employee, Produce Clerk to Psychic Reader! Movie Extra to Maintenance guy!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Mystic Tiger Band – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Mystic Tiger Band – Fast forward to today I am playing Music with my son Christopher (Guitar and Bass) now 26 years old at our church on Sunday’s and in my band “Mystic Tiger” we are an R&B, Classic Rock, and Pop Cover Band With an Album of Originals coming out sometime in 2020 under the album title MysticTiger “Untamed”
When I’m not playing with “Mystic Tiger” I am Playing as a Duo with my Favorite Vocalist/Guitarist Mari Dennis…a wonderful singer-songwriter Mari’s beautiful original music can be found on Spotify and other media!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We are looking forward to the release of our new album “Mystic Tiger” “Untamed” …a reflection of the kind of lifestyle my son and I have had! Till then, we enjoy playing and entertaining people from all walks of life.
What role has luck (good luck or bad luck) played in your life?
Woody once told me the struggle to be successful is like “Fighting the wind”!!! I believe you just have to keep fighting till the good things start to happen for you! Keep Practicing …so you are ready when those good opportunities come along! Music can take a long time! So be patient!
What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
I’ve had a lot of exciting experiences with local and Name acts but I would have to say my proudest moment thus far is just having my son at my side doing what we both love…. playing music! One time on Father’s Day Christopher played Guitar and I sang “From the Beginning” by Emerson, Lake and Palmer together at our church! A golden moment!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://mystictigerband.com
- Phone: (562) 284-3541
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @mystictigerband
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mystictigerband/
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