Grammy Award-winning Dan Zanes has made a name for himself in the US with his family-friendly rock music. A huge hit in the UK now too, we’re lucky enough to have Dan Zanes and Friends at Southbank Centre as part of Imagine Children’s Festival during February half-term. We caught up with Dan to ask him our quick questions.
What do you fear the most and why?
Fears come and go so fast that they’re not usually worth writing about.
Which mobile number do you call the most?
My 16 year old daughter.
What – or where – is perfection?
For me perfection has a lot of rough edges. That’s why I like making music with young people, the perfection is in the spirit not the technical ability.
Who is your favourite hero from fiction (book/comic/film/opera) – and why?
Charlie Chaplin’s little tramp. He was constantly surprised, amazed and befuddled by the world around him and he carried himself with complete grace even though he was always knocked down.
What’s your favourite ritual?
Tea in the morning!
Which living person do you most admire (and why)?
Harry Belafonte. He made incredible music and has always had the strongest sense of the artist’s social responsibility.
What other talent or skill would you like to possess?
I’d like to be able to play gospel piano.
Tell us about a special memory you have of Southbank Centre?
There are so many! Jamming with Nick Lowe. Playing with the samba band onstage and in the lobby after the show. Being joined by Philip Glass on a tiny electric organ. Visiting the slow food stalls behind Royal Festival Hall.
If you could programme your ideal Southbank Centre show, which artists (living or dead) would you bring together?
Ashok Kumar and the Marx Brothers in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Music by Franco & OK Jazz.
What’s your favourite website?
http://www.danzanes.com, of course! Otherwise I would say http://www.soundsandcolors.com
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
There’s nothing that justifies being mean, rude or unfair to another person.
What is the most played piece of music on your MP3 player or in your CD collection?
The staple singers song Pray On or maybe The Rolling Stones’ Before They Make Me Run.
What’s your favourite song?
That’s hard. Probably the soul song Slipped, Tripped, Fell in Love as sung by Ann Peebles.
What was your favourite song as a kid?
The Rock Island as played by Leadbelly.
Here’s Dan Zanes and Friends with a live performance of Jump Up.
Filed under: Rock & Pop, Upcoming Gigs | Tagged: children, Dan Zanes, Dan Zanes and Friends, family, fun for all the family, half-term, Imagine, Imagine Children's Festival, Jump Up, kids, pop, Queen Elizabeth Hall, rock, Southbank Centre | Leave a comment »
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