Daniel Sperry

Artist Summary: Performance Type:  Instrumental Soloist (Cello) Performance Style(s):  Original Instrumental Music Official Web Site:  http://www.cellomansings.com To make an offer to book this artist, click here

Daniel Sperry is an innovative, genre-stretching cellist, composer, and evocateur from Ashland, OR, who specializes in creating Musical Portraits for individuals as markers for special occasions and as gifts for loved ones. He performs all over the country in house concerts featuring these portraits, the poetry of Rumi, Hafiz and others along with his original music, opera arias, and standards.

Daniel began playing music early in his life, when he was about 4. His mother, a cellist, decided he needed a cello and that she would do whatever she could to foster him in that endeavor. The little half size cello didn't get a great deal of attention until Daniel was in about 4th grade and then it became a real object of attention and enjoyment as Daniel began to master the fundamentals of the instrument.

Soon he was traveling more than an hour a week to study with his first formal teacher, Marjorie Enix, at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. This campus was the source of a broad musical education all the way through his childhood and into college, as he attended many concerts - string quartet concerts, chamber orchestras, choruses - and later, in high school, began studying with Nelson Cooke, formerly the principal cellist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the cellist heard on Beatles recordings like Eleanor Rigby.  Daniel's study with Mr. Cooke culminated in his joining the Florida Gulf Coast Symphony at the age of 17, where he continued to gain deep experience in the symphonic repertoire and strengthen his cello playing skills.

In his late teens, Daniel's interest in contemporary music led to his move to Nashville, TN, where he played with the Nashville Symphony, and began playing in recording studios as well as forming a fortunate relationship with Mac Gayden, singer/songwriter and legendary guitar player - the writer of the much recorded hit song "Everlasting Love."  Daniel played cello in the original eclectic R&B group led by Gayden called Skyboat.

Since those years Daniel has performed and written music to support the worldwide meditation movement led by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, co-producing an album with then wife and musical partner Renie (now Renie Praver) for that purpose.  In the 90's, Daniel was part of an eclectic folk-acoustic band which included Neil Young-like guitar playing, Irish pipes, and a folk/blues jamming style. The band was called called Sage, and they performed throughout the Midwest.

Daniel was also a frequent guest with performers traveling to that area including Krishna Das. Throughout these years Daniel continued to add his original cello style to the recordings of contemporary artists/singer/songwriters.

He currently resides in Ashland, Oregon and continues to explore musical venues of all kinds.

Electronic Press Kit Materials:
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Photos:
      

Video Clips:
CelloMan Dreams (MP4 file, 48 MB)
Cello in Lithia Park (MP4 file, 48 MB)
Irrational Quest for Beauty (YouTube)
Man Under the Night Sky (YouTube)
When you Wish Upon a Star (YouTube)

Video DVD (DVD Disc ISO image in a Zip file):
Daniel Sperry Demo DVD (103 MB)

Audio Samples (MP3 Format):
My Mysterious Friend
Lydia and the Trees
Symphony of the Sea of Lost Wishes
Kisses and Volcanoes
Man Under the Night Sky

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