Artist Profile - David Haney

Websites and Social Media

Place of Birth:  Fresno, California, USA
Background, were your parents musical?

My mother played piano and loved to sing. She used to play classical albums while I played in the living room. After a while, I began choreographing my play to the beautiful background sounds. 
How did you learn music and what are your early memories

I learned music by playing on the piano, well, pounding on the piano. I was eventually given a cardboard keyboard and began music lessons at age 8. 
Recall a turning point in your life, either musically or personally.

A big turning point was when I met Christopher Lanni, a great musician living in San Franscico. He taught me how to listen. 
What was the first musical project that you were really excited about?

1997, West Coast Tour USA and Canada, with trombonist Roswell Rudd. He taught me the music of Herbie Nichols.
Who are your musical heroes and favorite albums?

Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, Maurice Ravel, Tomas Svoboda, Igor Stravinsky. 

Albums: Money Jungle; Jitterbug Waltz; Rite of Spring
Describe your musical education and approach to creating music.

I studied music theory for one year and private lessons in composition for five years with Tomas Svoboda.
What do you do to survive as a musician? 

I survive project to project. My goal in life is to make enough money to fund my art. That's all.
What is your current project?

It's bad luck, I can't tell you. But my last project featured eight musicians, none of which were me. I was the director and composer. Out of the 30 albums I have made, that was a first
What next, what are your upcoming projects? 

I am presenting a series of shows that features stories told by jazz artists and retold on stage by me. This is my third year now at Joe's Pub in New York. The show is called New York Jazz Stories.

www.davidhaneymusic.com
www.bigroundrecords.com/artists/h.php
www.bigroundrecords.com/catalog/br8956/
Twitter @DavidHa88245577
www.facebook.com/david.haney.9822
https://www.instagram.com/haney5528/