Meet Danny Janklow

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny Janklow.

Hi Danny, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a 31 years old saxophonist, composer, educator, band-leader & music producer. 20 years ago, I began playing music at age 11 and quickly fell in love with the spirit of jazz music. As early as I can remember, my late grandfather, a lifetime guitar enthusiast, exposed me to the classic recordings of songs by composers such as Cole Porter and Antonio Carlos Jobim. He & my parents supported my love for music and witnessed my early passion at age 13 ignited by taking me to live concerts at the Jazz Bakery and Hollywood Bowl to see some of my heroes play. I continued to practice diligently and was mentored by great music teachers and studio musicians as I grew up in Agoura Hills, CA. When I got to high school, I gained a clearer understanding of the importance and cultural significance of the music identified as Jazz. My high school band director John Mosley, a legend of music education, was adamant about us studying the roots of the blues and understanding the authentic culture and history of the music. I began intensely studying the music of Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis.

What inspired me greatly was studying and performing the joyful music of Duke Ellington’s repertoire. I found myself completely immersed in learning this rhythmic and spiritual music language which I now respectively identify as Black American Music. During high school, I received multiple outstanding soloist awards presented by music icon Wynton Marsalis during my participation in the Essentially Ellington program at Lincoln Center in New York. It was at this time that my soul felt compelled by the music to leave California after high school to move east to Philadelphia, a town that embodied the true historic legacy of this music. While in Philly, I was thankful to study with great instructors like Terell Stafford at Temple University Boyer College of Music and Dance. I ventured out on the town every night after a full day of rigorous practicing, attending classes, and preparing for concerts in rehearsals. In these local clubs that I was able to perform at with the talented musicians on the scene, I built my performance chops and ultimately stretched my music abilities to meet any situation or music style presented to me. I feel that it was at this point in my life that the deep-rooted cultural impact of this music was imprinted upon me.

When I was 19, I was on performing on stage at the Kimmel Center in Philly with Philadelphia’s own and one of my biggest inspirations on the saxophone and as a composer, Benny Golson. While playing a solo on his song “Blues March,” I had a striking epiphany that every note, rhythm and vibration that I play is an extension of the originating culture and is a spiritual call to the ancestors who risked everything they had to pave the way for the music we celebrate. With great inspiration, I continued to develop my own sound on the saxophone and continued carefully crafting my original compositions. This process led me to forming my own bands on both east and west coasts. By the time I was 20 years old, I was professionally performing and booking shows in Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, and also coming home to play at music venues in Los Angeles. Days after leaving college, I made my debut at the historic Village Vanguard in NYC with the legendary Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Instead of staying east, I decided to return to my home of Los Angeles to continue pursuing my professional career as a performing and recording artist.

Back west, I continued to develop my craft and performing, yet, also remained learning within such prestigious programs like the Kennedy Center’s Betty Carter Jazz Ahead in Washington DC led by Jason Moran. I competed in and won first place in North American Saxophone Alliance and Detroit Jazz Festival Saxophone competitions which led to me competing as a semi-finalist in the 2013 Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition held at the Smithsonian DC. Throughout the last decade, I’ve continued to mentor many students in the LA area through the Monk Institute and at CSUN as well as giving clinics and masterclasses. Mostly focused on my band-leading, I was producing and recording my critically-acclaimed debut record “Elevation” which I released independently in October 2017. “Philafornia,” the first song on the record which celebrated my time in Philadelphia and growing up in California, became an international fan favorite and was featured on the “State of Jazz” Spotify playlist. I began to tour internationally with my Elevation Band and touring in support of sensational artists such as Harvey Mason Sr., Monk’estra, and Shelea.

Through my performing experiences, I have had the honor to share some of the greatest stages such as the Hollywood Bowl, the Apollo Theater, Dolby Theater, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and Blue Note New York, with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Jimmy Heath, Branford Marsalis, Terrace Martin, Johnny Mandel, and many other heroes I had only dreamed of working with when I was growing up. My second album “Worlds Collide,” released in 2019, excited my fans, attracted new listeners and gained praise from music enthusiasts and audiences worldwide. I’m thankful to now be preparing to release my first live record and I am currently producing a documentary series/podcast called the “Creative Hero” at the Miracle Theater Inglewood. I’m designing and organizing exciting performing and educational opportunities to be launched in 2021 through my company Conscious Collective Music.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Developing my music career has not always been a smooth road, but I’ve always been committed to perseverance. A struggle that has affected my industry including myself has definitely been adapting to the reality of a world without live performances due to Covid pandemic. Being a career performing and touring artist, much of my 2020-21 touring schedule has been canceled by the Covid pandemic. Through this challenging time, I’ve been committed to adapting to a reality in which I couldn’t take the stage to heal people with my music. During this pandemic, my virtual teaching studio has been a beautiful and fulfilling way to provide mentorship to international students of all ages, backgrounds and musical abilities. I’ve been meeting one on one, giving zoom masterclasses on harmony, composition, and music business, etc. I’ve continued to collaborate with artists by doing remote recordings in my home studio.

In May 2020, I began working as the creative director of the Miracle Theater Inglewood. Amidst the surging pandemic, we began a safe production of my vision The “Creative Hero.” This documentary/podcast is a specially curated series of one-to-one dialogues about the lineage and experiences passed between generations that influence and evolve culture, art, spirituality, and social change. I have been back in the studio working with a new band and producing new music which I will be releasing very soon. Stay on the look out for this exciting music to come. I’m also thankful to be preparing for the release of my live record. This recording is of my band’s last show pre-covid at the Blue Whale. “Live on Love Day” will be out sometime this year 2021 and will celebrate the amazing magic we shared at our musical home Blue Whale, which sadly closed in December 2020.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
“When one considers the outstanding young jazz musicians in Los Angeles who are most likely to move the music forward, alto saxophonist Danny Janklow is in the front of the pack.” – L.A. Times (Kirk Silsbee) I specialize in performing, recording, educating and producing music. My specialties are playing saxophone, woodwinds, composing music and band-leading. I’m most proud of my project Danny Janklow + Elevation Band. Our music has been inspiring listeners and young creative musicians all over the world with my original album releases of “Elevation” and “Worlds Collide.”

Also, I’m proud to be an original member of the Grammy Award winning Monk’estra led by John Beasley. We were nominated 6 times for our 3 records and finally won a Grammy this year 2021! I believe what sets me apart is my determination to spearhead a creative revolution. I am working hard to bring more diversity and inclusiveness to the creative arts for future generations’ opportunities. I am a dreamer who actively visions, plans and executes my creative visions. Whether it be releasing my original music, performing, touring, recording, educating, or producing, I put 100% of my heart into nurturing the success of my pursuits of unifying people and healing people through music.

What makes you happy?
What makes me happy is when I’m playing music with my favorite musicians. It’s when I feel most connected to my truest purpose and when I can emote with complete freedom. Playing music with my friends allows me to feel tapped into my ability to authentically connect to others with lots of energy and passion for each moment. I also feel happy when I’ve helped someone connect deeper to their inner creative spirit and discover their own potential.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dannyjanklow.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/dannyjanklow
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/dannyjanklowmusic
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/dannyjanklow
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/dannyjanklow
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/danny-janklow-1

Image Credits:
All photos by Mehdi Hassine.