All about Dan's Compositions
Dan has been a member of BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated) since
1981. Although recognized as a world-class trombonist and arranger
for many years, his abilities as a composer have only recently been
brought to light. Here is a list of his compositions, with brief
anecdotes about their origins.
"The Minor Infraction":
Dan’s first "original" to be recorded (and registered
with BMI) is an instrumental, recorded for Concord Records in 1987.
It’s a Count Basie-inspired swing number, called The Minor
Infraction, and can be found on the Concord CD Strictly Instrumental,
recorded by the Dan Barrett Octet.
"Moon Rocket":
Although he has been writing
music for various jazz groups since his high school days, Dan’s
first composing assignment of any consequence resulted in his Depression-era
theme music for the 1984 American Playhouse television production
of Rocket to the Moon, a play by Clifford Odets. The production
starred an actor just then becoming better known, the great John
Malkovich.
Being a Bear:
In 1998, Dan’s songwriting abilities were called to the attention
of Toronto’s David Schacker, who was writing both the script
and lyrics for a full length animated feature called The Jazz
Bears . This humorous and heartwarming cartoon features a band
of, well, bears, who perform in the Forest Green. The Jazz Bears
captivate the young Copey Bear, who is given his voice by none other
than Dan Barrett, in Dan’s first "acting" role. Copey
wants to learn to play trumpet just like his Jazz Bear hero, Pops
Bear, but Copey has a lot to learn about music and life. Chips (who
is Copey’s faithful girlfriend, portrayed by the great vocalist
Rebecca Kilgore) and Pops (whose voice is gently growled by Eddie
Erickson), and the other Bears help Copey along the way, giving him
lessons in family values, honesty and friendship that are woven into
Mr. Schacker’s funny and delightful story. The Schacker-Barrett
collaboration has so far produced five songs, including: Being
a Bear, The Jam Song, Animation, Copey’s Lament, and The
Spirit of Swing. Being a Bear: Jazz For the Whole Family is
the title of an Arbors Records CD which includes four of these songs
and other fun tunes that provide an introduction to jazz to young
listeners. To find out more about the Jazz Bears, and David Schacker's
Max the Mutt Animation, (including their animation school!) visit
the studio's website at: www.maxthemutt.com.
"Eastwood Lane":
A few years back, Dan composed
a tribute to the American composer Eastwood Lane, whose music had
a profound effect on the legendary jazz cornetist and composer,
Bix Beiderbecke. Dan’s melody, titled simply Eastwood Lane, became
a song when lyrics were added by the current master of that craft,
Dave Frishberg. Dan is appreciative of Mr. Frishberg’s invaluable
contribution, and is honored that Mr. Frishberg chose to record
the song on his recent album, Do You Miss New York?, on
Arbors Records. The song has also been recorded by guitarist and
vocalist John Piazzarelli, and is on his Compact Disc, Knowing
You, on Telarc.
The Sleepy Time Gal:
Finally, in 2002, director Christopher
Munch asked Dan to compose a song for his motion picture, The
Sleepy Time Gal, starring Jacqueline Bisset. This resulted
in the song, Sleepy Time, for which Dan wrote both the words
and music. Vocalist Rebecca Kilgore, guitarist Eddie Erickson,
bassist Dave Stone and Dan himself perform the song on the film’s
soundtrack, thereby introducing their new quartet, BED, to a wider
audience. The movie, released in March of 2002, has received enthusiastic
reviews. Of course, Dan hopes that it will generate more interest
in his composing and song-writing abilities. In the meantime, he
continues to stay busy in the jazz world, traveling to jazz parties
and festivals here and overseas.
Here is a list of compositions by Dan Barrett:
The Minor Infraction (Concord Records, The Dan Barrett Octet; Strictly
Instrumental)
On Arbors Records: (800) 299-1930 email: arb2@gate.net
Blue Chu (Dan Barrett Trio and Quartet; Jubilesta!)
Rachel’s Boogie (Dan Barrett and Al Jenkins; Reunion
With Al)
George’s and Dan’s Most Excellent Blues (George
Masso and Dan Barrett; Let’s Be Buddies)
Just Ducky (Tom Baker and Dan Barrett; In Australia)
With ‘Em (Dan Barrett’s Extra-Celestials; Moon
Song)
Possum Jump (Rick Fay and Friends; Rollin’ On)
Night Owl (Bryan Shaw; Night Owl)
Press Roll (Rick Fay: Sax-O-Poem)
Long Live the King (Brian Ogilvie; For You)
Sleepy Time (words and music) (soundtrack to motion picture, The
Sleepy Time Gal; also, included in the new CD by BED, Get
Ready For BED!, on the Blue Swing label)
Jeep’s Melody (from At the Jazz Bears’ Jamboree)
Moon Rocket (for the American Playhouse production of Rocket
to the Moon)
Harlem Sunset (Nagel-Heyer CD; Harlem 2000)
With David Schacker, lyricist:
These four tunes are included in the Arbors CD by Dan Barrett
and Rebecca Kilgore,
Being a Bear…
Being a Bear: Jazz For the Whole Family:
Being a Bear
Animation
Copey’s Lament
The Jam Song
"The Spirit of Swing"
With Dave Frishberg, lyricist:
Eastwood Lane |
