Show notes
I've known Dan Chmielinski for over a decade, and it has been a real pleasure watching his career unfold. Dan grew up in metro Chicago, and I had the privilege of being his bass teacher through middle and high school.
Dan started playing bass at age 3 with Virginia Dixon, and he has one of the most natural and fluid approaches to the bass that I've ever seen. After high school, Dan attended Juilliard for for his bachelor's and master's degrees, where he studied with Ron Carter.
Dan has toured the world, performing with artists such as Joey Alexander, Wynton Marsalis, The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and Jeff "Tain" Watts. His main project right now is Four by Four. Here's a link to their trailer on YouTube.
We dig into all kinds of topics:
- what the Juilliard jazz studies audition is like (hint: it's intense!)
- the Richard Davis Foundation Conference - Dan attended as a student from ages 3-18, and he is now a faculty member
- teaching for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Jazz for Young People Program
- the focus required to develop a career as a New York City jazz bassist
- advice for younger musicians
Be sure to follow Dan on Instagram to keep up to date with his latest activities!
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