Named One of the hippest jazz cats in Minneapolis by Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine - Dan is a musician of stylistic diversity. His music displays influences from many Genres of music, although his sound is deeply rooted within the spectrums jazz, r&b, and funk. Among his major influences are David Sanborn, Dave Koz, Euge Groove, Maceo Parker, Everette Harp, Gerald Albright, Ronny Loew, and many more. Dan is an energetic and soulful performer, and began grabbing the attention of listeners early on.
Over the years, Dan has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with a variety of artists and bands including Joe Juliano (James Brown), Renee Austin, Ricky Peterson (David Sanborn, Prince), Big Bamboo, Mateo, T-Bone Thomas, Mojo Buford (Muddy Waters), Moses Oakland, Slide Hampton, Bruce Henry, Dorothy Witherspoon, Chaz Smith (Prince), Jason Weisman, The New Congress, Alicia Wiley, Root City, Dan Ristrom, Desdamona, Alex Rossi, opened for stanley jordan, and many more. He has played in some of the finest clubs in Minnesota such as The Dakota Jazz Club, Rossi's Blue Star Jazz Room, The French Press Jazz Cafe, The Fineline, O'gara's, Bunkers, and also drew a crowd of 3,000 plus @ The Hot Summer Jazz Festival, the Burnsville Art & Jazz Festival, The Grand Marais Jazz Festival, and the Jazz 88.5 Winter Jazz Fest.
Dan's current projects include:
Dan Ristrom & The Big Throwdown
Black Belt Jonezin
The Dan Kusz Band
Root City Band
The Very People
Dan is also working on his new CD on the Steve Mcloone headed record label UltimaSongs which will feature some of the finest Minneapolis Musicians such as: Russ King, Alex Rossi, Orange AC, Dan Ristrom, Barry Alexander, Tony Axtel, Ricky Peterson, Kyle Wood, and many more!
Accomplishments:
Louie Armstrong Jazz Award Winner
2006 L.A. Music Award Winner for: Best Jazz Song & Best Jazz Artist Of The Year
Put out first CD in 2006 called "Lost In The Groove" which was produced by the very talented Ricky Peterson (Has done with with Oleta Adams, David Sanborn, Prince, John Mayer, Stevie Nicks, and a whole 20 pages more of artists!)
Performed on the KARE 11 Morning Show
Was featured in the Italy based Jazz magazine "Acid Jazz"
peaked at 6 on the "Top 40 Smooth Jazz Plays" for MA Radio station WUMD 89.3!
"Lost In The Groove" was in the top 10 chart for the Music Choice Smooth Jazz channel for 5 weeks straight peeking at 3 right behind Dave Koz
Was named one of the hottest acts @ The 2007 Hot Summer Jazz Festival
