Biography
STARTING OUT
On stage at concerts before she was even born; there was little doubt that Daniela Clynes would be involved in music as in some
capacity as an adult.
Her mother a classical pianist touring internationally, her father an orchestral and choral conductor; Daniela's first performing experiences as a child were making an occasional
appearance at the end of the soprano's line in her father's choir. Usually to
be heard singing, "Now Is The Month Of Maying"!
Her equal love of the theatre was fed by frequent visists and acting studies
which culminated in the offer of a place at Webber Douglas Drama Academy. By that time she had started working backstage at various fringe and West End
theatres; as a dresser and stage manager. It was while working on the West End production of "Guys & Dolls" that Daniela made her first demo recording under the guidance of Duncan
Lamont Jnr who was in the pit band. On the strength of that tape her first
professional gig came in at the no longer existant Palookaville club. While
gathering material and advice for that gig, Daniela was offered a record deal
by a pop producer linked to the theatre she was now working at.
As her musical endeavors were overtaking her acting studies, Daniela went away
for a week which was to change her life dramatically. Attending the Wavendon
Allmusic Course (run by Cleo Laine & John Dankworth) she met the young trumpet tutor, Noel Langley and began a
relationship with him on their return to London.
She was now studying on a two year professional singing course at Parkshot
College, which was run by pianist, Pete Churchill. He advised her to audition for the Guildhall Post Graduate Jazz Course. She
gained a scholarship place and found herself alongside fellow students: Gareth
Williams, Arnie Somogyi, Clare Foster, Martin Hathaway. While at college Daniela was asked to join Pete Churchill's close harmony vocal
group which also featured Stacey Kent, Anita Wardell and Imogen Ryall. The
highlight of the year was a week's residence at Ronnie Scott's Club with the college big band
fronted by Randy Brecker.
Forming a quintet with Martin Hathaway which included emerging young pianist,
Liam Noble; a new set of self-penned songs was the mainstay of their gigs.
Meanwhile Noel Langley had started the "London Jazz Orchestra" with stars such
as John Taylor, Kenny Wheeler and Ian Carr. Their regular spot at the Vortex Jazz Club was enhanced by the unique qualities
of singer, Norma Winston. Taking leave for a tour, Norma suggested Daniela cover for her with the band for
six weeks. An amazing honour for a young singer with a growing passion for big
bands. Her love of the anarchic big band, "Loose Tubes" was deepening as she attended
gigs which Noel was playing on. It was then that she was inspired to write
lyrics to Django Bates & Iain Ballamy's piece, "Gentle Persuasion"; which would go on to be the title track of her first studio album years later.
OUT OF COLLEGE
Daniela was working with various musicians around the London jazz scene
including guest appearances with the Michael Garrick Ensemble and Eclectic
Voices; she then formed a ten piece group with Noel Langley and Pete Churchill,
featuring Ralph Salmins (drums) and Roger Beaujolais (vibes) for a debut at the
Barbican Centre. This led to a debut performance at London's top cabaret venue, The Pizza on the
Park.
A tighter quintet led by Noel on trumpet and flugelhorn, saw Daniela singing an
eclectic mix of lesser known jazz material, theatre songs and original tunes. The complex and witty arrangements by Noel and Pete Churchill, plus the by now
beautifully blended sound of voice and trumpet, made for an entertaining and
moving evening of sophisticated music. Daniela felt she had now found her style
within such a diverse musical setting; and took the band out to different venues. A studio session in May 1996 with Don
Richardson (bass) and Ian Thomas (drums) recorded a selection of songs from
this quintet set. It was to prove a timely keepsake, not long before the band would be broken up.
Meanwhile Daniela had put together her first one-woman show, "Childsplay" for
the Canal Cafe Theatre. The 1995 summer performances were such a hit that the theatre asked her to
return with a Christmas show that winter.
Soon after this, the call came for an audition for composer, Orlando Gough and
award-winning playwrite, Caryl Churchill; who were putting together a jazz opera, "Hotel" produced by dance company,
Second Stride. Daniela joined a cast including Ian Shaw, Carol Grimes and
Melanie Pappenheim; to originate the role of the American Wife. "Hotel" was a huge success in London and toured Germany in 1997.
Daniela's quintet was broken up at the break up of her marriage to Noel; so the offer of work on Orlando's next project was a breath of fresh air. He was
starting an 18 piece a' capella vocal group with fellow composer, Richard Chew;
it featured a wide variety of excellent singers from fields as diverse as: jazz, gospel, blues, opera, show, pop and classical Indian! Called "The Shout" this group was an instant hit and reviewed as a 'vocal big
band' & a 'vocal "Stomp"!
SHOUTING & BANDLEADING
As an original member of "The Shout", Daniela participated in their hugely
popular seasons at the Drill Hall, BAC, Purcell Room, The National Portait
Gallery, Southampton University, Huddersfield Festival, and the Roundhouse
(where they were filmed by Sophie Fiennes for Channel 4). Radio broadcasts followed the release of their first album, "Arrival" in 2001.
A first trip to New York in the summer of 1998 was to prove another life
changing event. She spent weeks going to as many of the amazing gigs she could fit into each
night; and met some of her musical heroes including Janis Seigal and Jon Hendricks. Making new friends with many fine musicians on the New York scene, and singing
at various jam sessions including the Friday night jam at the Blue Note Club; all served to fill her with ideas and a renewed confidence. It also led to her
latest songwriting collaboration with American guitarist Ron Affif; adding to her previous lyric writing for Anita Wardell's composition.
On returning to London, Daniela was asked to be vocalist with the Martin
Hathaway Big Band; and guest with Mick Foster's group. A series of duo gigs with reknowned singer, Ian Shaw led to his collaborating at
the scriptwriting stage of her next show.
Two shows at the Pizza on the Park (Jan & Feb 1999) were recorded for Daniela's first 'live' album. One date was a duo
with pianist, Liam Noble; while for the second, bass player, Geoff Gascoyne and drummer, Clark Tracey
joined the stand for the recording. The sold-out event was photographed by the great music photographer, David
Redfern who became an instant and encouraging fan.
Daniela created a new one-woman show, "Journey" to portray the true story of a woman's life; from surviving the Warsaw Ghetto,
to emigrating to two different countries in a decade, while developing a career
in music and changing love affairs. With James Pearson (piano) and Sam Burgess
(bass) it combined the structural storytelling of theatre with the spontaneity
of jazz. Premiered at the Pizza on the Park at the end of 2000, the show moved
to London's prestigious King's Head Theatre in July 2001, where it was filmed.
Continuing dates at the Pizza on the Park and the 2000 London Jazz Festival (at
the 606 Club), led to the formation of a new quartet with guest, Gary Husband on drums. However, inspired by a lesson
on Indian scales with fellow "Shout" member, Manickam Yogeswara; Daniela realised she wanted to try a new direction. Having recognised similarities between those scales and the familiar sounds of melodies from her
Eastern European ancestry; she determined to combine some Jewish melodies with the African based rhythms of
Jazz and Latin music. With a new line-up of Jonathan Gee (piano), Sa mBurgess (bass) and Clark Tracey
(drums) the band were invited to spend a few days recording an album at the
studio of friends, Simon Hale & Claire Moore. Although the result was a fine album; Daniela wanted to add a little more excitement to the mix and flew out to New
York in the summer of 2001 to add a brass section arranged by trombonist, Clark
Gayton and some Latin percussion by master drummer, Eddie Bobe.
It took the next eighteen months to complete post-production on the recording; and Daniela found herself starting her own independant record label, Mistress
Music, an outcome she could never have imagined happening!
The resulting album, "Gentle Persuasion" has started to garner stunning reviews
since its release in December 2003. Promotional gigs through 2004 including the 606 Club, the Vortex Jazz Club,
Shino's and the Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho have proved hugely popular. The
album received its first radio play on Jazz FM during July of this year, on
Sarah Ward's show.
Plans are now afoot to promote the CD in New York this Autumn.
