Biography
Dan Forshaw is one of the most charismatic musicians on the British Jazz scene. A superb communicator with an infectious passion for music, Dan’s ability to captivate audiences with his performances has led him to perform all over the world with ensembles ranging from jazz quartets to classical cathedral choirs. Forshaw is one of the UK’s leading experts on the legendary saxophonist John Coltrane and has had a number of articles published on John Coltrane’s music & theology. Tim Price, Professor of saxophone in New York and a former teacher of Dan said, ‘Dan has reached a strong level of musicality, depth and technique that very few players have….he is a breath of fresh air, ‘hear him!’
Dan was taught by Ray Wilkes, a legend on the Northern Jazz scene and a former member of Cedar Walton’s band in New York. Dan started picking up gigs aged 14 and by 16 Dan was on the road with the ‘Amazing Blues Brothers Soul Revue Tour.’
After meeting Branford Marsalis at the RNCM in April 2003, Branford invited Dan to study with him in the USA, which Dan did in March / April 2005. Whilst in New York, Dan was inspired by the many amazing musicians he heard & upon returning to England, he moved to London in the summer of 2005. Dan’s target was to return to New York, but meeting and marrying his wife Katy led to a move to Belfast in 2007.
Dan is now based in Cambridge where he teaches saxophone through his award-winning website, cambridgesaxophone.com
One of life’s natural teachers, Dan has students from all seven continents, (including Antartica!) and enjoys nothing more than engaging students of all ages with his passion for jazz improvisation. Dan still maintains an active performance schedule with his band performing on the London Jazz Scene (like at Pizza Express Soho), regular tours, and his ‘Jazz Vespers‘ project, that has seen Dan on Prime Time National TV, (BBC One,) leading jazz events at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Ely Cathedral and the at new home for Jazz Vespers in London, Methodist Central Hall, Westminster.
Dan is an active ‘Vlogger’, with thousands of viewers watching his videos every week. Outside of music Dan enjoys photography, sport and most of all spending time with his young family.
