Danny Draher, New York Blues & Jazz Society's Best Band Winner 2004 - is a guitarist, singer, musical director, consultant and producer. Born in Indianapolis, he heard the fascinating sounds of Wes Montgomery and Mel Rhyne. He moved to Chicago at a young age and started playing guitar. By age fourteen, Danny performed at parties with local bands and began his professional life as a guitarist with Otis Rush and Buddy Guy at the Checkerboard Lounge. Danny recorded his first album with the Rob Reidy Band on Flying Fish Records at the legendary Chess Studios. Danny left Chicago and toured nationally with many popular "Top 40", rhythm and blues and rock bands. In New York, 'Double D' soon became the guitarist, singer and bandleader of choice. Through reputation, Danny Draher and his band have been hired by the who's who of the music industry for national and international performances and recordings with such artists as Dr. John, Etta James, Paul Butterfield and Allen Toussaint. He was the musical director for the 1992 Rhythm and Blues Foundation Awards with the award recipients, Bobble Bland, Sam Moore, The Staples Singers and Rufus and Carla Thomas. The Danny Draher Band performed for the Radio America documentary, The Blues Story, an American Art Form, featuring B.B. King and Ruth Brown at the Whitney Museum. The Danny Draher Band was also featured with Bonnie Raitt at the 1994 first annual VH-1 Awards.
In 1993, Danny performed with Buster Poindexter and the Uptown Horns at the Palladium for President-elect, Bill Clinton and the Democratic Convention party in New York City. In 1995, Danny played "The Montreaux Jazz Festival" and "The North Sea Jazz Festival".
Danny Draher was the producer for Cephas & Wiggin's CD, "Blues Men", on Chesky Records, released in 1993. He also worked as a session guitarist for Polygram/Verve Records and has appeared in several recent releases, including Lucky Peterson's last two gold CD's.
This journeyman of multifaceted and passionate guitar playing has mesmerized audiences at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, (Lincoln Center) Madison Square Garden. Danny Draher is a musical director, arranger and producer, with abilities to establish working rapport with other professionals. Danny has a great reputation within the industry for his own style.If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”
