About

Dan Haedicke (pronounced Ha-dik) is a talented guitarist whose melodic brand of jazz, which is both creative and accessible, is well featured on his debut recording as a leader, In All The Ways.

Born and raised in Washington D.C, Dan remembers when he first started playing music. “I was 11 or 12 when one day I found my older brother’s guitar in the closet. I was immediately fascinated by it. My brother soon showed me how to play a few chords and a few songs, and I took it from there.” As a teenager, the young guitarist’s musical tastes were quite eclectic. He listened to hip-hop, classic rock, r&b, world music, jazz and the blues. After auditioning successfully for the Duke Ellington School Of The Arts when he was 14, Dan’s teachers at the school introduced him to such jazz giants as George Benson, Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass. He performed with the school’s small combo group at such prestigious venues as the Kennedy Center, the Library of Congress and even the White House.

Moving to New York to attend the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music where he earned a degree in Guitar Performance, Dan had the opportunity to study with such notables as Rodney Jones, Vic Juris, Reggie Workman, Jimmy Owens, Chico Hamilton and Bobby Sanabria. “I learned the importance of being prepared, having the right attitude, and expanding one’s repertoire. I also learned the importance of developing my own musical identity.” Dan began performing in a wide variety of settings in the New York area ranging from jazz to hip-hop.

Dan picked up important knowledge about the recording industry when he interned at the Verve Music Group and worked at Koch Records in their publicity and A&R departments. In 2007, he started the Kwality label. The company has acted as both a vehicle for Dan’s recording projects and as an opportunity for him to work as a producer with artists who he admires. The label has had great success with the modern New Orleans soul singer Tondrae Kemp. Dan also produced the Brooklyn Independent Music Festival for several years which featured talent from many different genres.

As a guitarist, Dan Haedicke worked and recorded with Lil’ Fame, Cisco Adler, The Diplomats, Rich Boy, and B. Slade. In addition, he was the house guitarist for the Words Hip-Hop & Poetry Showcase & Open Mic at the legendary Nuyorican Poets Café. He recorded quite a bit on guitar and bass for other artist’s projects in addition to working as a record producer.

Two years ago, the guitarist formed the DH4, a group that also includes trumpeter Indofunk Satish, bassist Everett Boyd and drummer Doron Lev. For their first CD In All The Ways, the DH4 is joined by keyboardist Robert Knowles, Sean Schulich on flute, and singers Sun Singleton and Tondrae Kemp with a guest spot for altoist Lakecia Benjamin.

Of the new CD, Dan says, “I wanted to write songs for the album that had melodies that listeners would take away with them.” His seven originals on In All The Ways contain many hummable melodies, concise and memorable solos from Dan, Satish, Knowles and Schulich, and an inventive use of the singers on several of the selections. While at times a little reminiscent of the classic CTI recordings of George Benson and Hubert Laws, Dan Haedicke’s brand of melodic grooving Latin and Brazilian jazz is very much his own. The melodies of “Aquamarino,” “Dajo,” “If The Stars” will stay in one’s mind long after the music is over. The groove-oriented “In All The Ways,” the funky strut “October,” the bluish “Nola Shout” and the rockish “Fenix” are among the many highlights of this highly enjoyable CD.

With the release of In All The Ways, the future looks bright for Dan Haedicke. He looks forward to leading the DH4 in many shows, continuing to write songs, and expanding the musical situations in which he performs as a guitarist. “I hope to be able to release a new album every year, paying homage to the guitarists who inspire me as well as pushing the envelope of jazz.”