Danny Fox: Press

AUGUSTA — The original compositions of Danny Fox bedazzled an Augusta crowd, Oct. 1 at Jewett Hall Auditorium on the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) campus.

Fox, a Harvard University graduate living in New York City where he is teaching, performing and composing, is currently on a New England tour with his trio.

Backed by Chris van Voorst van Beest on stand-up bass and Max Goldman on drums, the Danny Fox Trio rhythm section is solid behind intricate instrumental jazz pieces. Goldman makes the most, and then some, with a small jazz kit, while Fox's piano playing is extremely interesting, easily keeping a jazz fan's attention.

"There are many different parts and structures in my tunes," said Fox.

The 28-year-old pianist was quite animated in his playing, bobbing and dipping his head, feeling his music. He addressed the audience in between tunes with funny, creative titles such as "Drama King" and "Bad House Guest."

"You can all relate to this one," he said, introducing the latter tune.

"The names of those songs can come from anywhere, I like to joke," Fox said, while also admitting that songs like "Trudge" really do almost sound like someone is trudging through quagmire.

Fox credited Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk and various classical piano players as his prime influences. For a jazz trio, Fox and company had a whole lot going on musically, for such a small lineup.

"I am influenced by all sorts of music," he said. "It comes from everything. A lot of jazz and classical, even old Motown and rock. These are influences that hopefully come out. Whatever I am listening to hopefully creeps in to my work."

Fox and the group said they very much enjoyed their venue at UMA, where earlier in the day Fox instructed a jazz clinic. Jewett Hall's quaint auditorium was a prime spot to hear such juicy jazz as Fox and friends dished out.

"Playing here was fun," Fox said. "The clinic was great too, people here are excited about playing and writing."

Performing as part of the trio at UMA was actually a homecoming of sorts for bass player van Voorst van Beest, who was a former UMA faculty bassist.

The accomplished Fox, who has been playing since he was 10 years old, has already released two albums and played with a slew of different groups. He would like to release a CD with his current group by spring and said they would begin recording soon.

Danny Fox can be heard online at myspace.com/dannyfoxgroup and dannyfoxmusic.com.