Jazz Piano Performance, Private Instruction, Arranging and Music Copying
Arlene McDaniel is an experienced jazz pianist, performing and teaching in the Mid-Michigan area and beyond for over 4 decades. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Theory & Composition from MSU in 1984. Arlene performs at a variety of venues as a soloist, combo leader, and side woman. Jazz compositions range from piano solo to full jazz ensemble. Arlene has taught private piano lessons (traditional and jazz) at every level from beginner to college, currently teaching out of her home studio. She was on the faculty at the Michigan State University Community Music School (2008 - 2022), and continues to teach out of her home studio.
Locally, Arlene performs at venues such as Red Cedar Spirits, Moriarty's Pub, and at the Speak EZ Lounge and GRNoir in Grand Rapids. She worked regularly with a trio and numerous ensembles at The Cappuccino Cafe, Coral Gables, and The Exchange. Additional past appearances include the Summer Solstice Jazz Fest (East Lansing, MI), Old Town Jazz Fest (Lansing, MI), The Michigan Jazz Festival (Livonia), The Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant, MI (Water Lily Lounge), Montreux/Detroit Jazz Fest, The Firefly Club (Ann Arbor), and the East Lansing Art Festival.
Ms. McDaniel has toured with virtuoso clarinetist Dave Bennett, appearing regionally and nationally with his quartet (San Diego Jazz Fest, Three Rivers Jazz Festival, Chandler Jazz Festival (AZ), and Clambake Music Festival in Oregon). Regionally Arlene has appeared with The Dave Bennett Quartet on Beaver Island, at The Dirty Dog (Detroit), Billy’s Tip ‘N Inn (White Lake), and the Rec Bowl of Mt. Clemens. Arlene has long time musical relationships with bassists Nick Calandro, & Ed Fedewa; drummers Randy Gillespie & Larry Ochiltree; and vocalists Sheila Landis & Sunny Wilkinson. Arlene was the accompanist for the MSU Vocal Jazz Ensemble I from 2005-08, under the direction of Sunny Wilkinson. Miscellaneous appearances include The Lansing Symphony Orchestra Big Band, The Truth in Jazz Orchestra (Grand Rapids), The Pied Pipers, and The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
From 1996 - 2000 Arlene was involved in a mentoring program intended to guide young women interested in jazz, and working in the field – “Sisters in Jazz”. Sponsored by the IAJE (International Association for Jazz Education), this pilot program was launched in part by Sunny Wilkinson, internationally known jazz vocalist/educator. They performed concerts around Michigan, including the Montreux-Detroit Jazz Festival, Ypsilanti Heritage Fest, and Taste of Detroit Festival. Sisters in Jazz has now become an International Collegiate competition through the Jazz Educators Network.
In 2020 Arlene took over the piano chair with the Latin/Salsa group ORQUESTA RITMO, led by Mike Eyia. Ritmo appears regularly at Urban Beat of Lansing, and has appeared at the Blue Llama Jazz Club of Ann Arbor, Lansing Jazz Festival, Summer Solstice Jazz Festival, Ann Arbor Summer Festival, 517 Hispanic Heritage Festival, as well as numerous events and private functions around the state of Michigan.
Beyond her diverse talents on stage, Arlene is an accomplished composer/arranger and has appeared on a number of recordings as both a pianist and arranger. In November of 2022 Arlene was the musical director/arranger, pianist and co-producer for Mike Daniels CD ‘Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?’. Other CD projects include Kerry Moffit’s ‘What Goes Around Comes Around’ (2021), as a side musician. Arlene was the musical arranger/pianist on Mike Eyia’s ‘Ritmo Patria’ (2021), featuring the music of Gregg Hill. Arlene's trio of many years with Gene Rebeck (bass) and Ian LeVine (drums) released their recording 'Timeless’ (2009). Timeless has received international airplay and is currently available streaming online or from the artist. The bulk of the recording contains her original compositions.
During the pandemic in the summer of 2020, Arlene was inspired by the raising of Monarch butterflies, and has written a suite of 4 movements, titled Monarch Suite. Videos are available on her You Tube channel. Additional information online at www.reverbnation.com/arlenemcdaniel
Locally, Arlene performs at venues such as Red Cedar Spirits, Moriarty's Pub, and at the Speak EZ Lounge and GRNoir in Grand Rapids. She worked regularly with a trio and numerous ensembles at The Cappuccino Cafe, Coral Gables, and The Exchange. Additional past appearances include the Summer Solstice Jazz Fest (East Lansing, MI), Old Town Jazz Fest (Lansing, MI), The Michigan Jazz Festival (Livonia), The Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant, MI (Water Lily Lounge), Montreux/Detroit Jazz Fest, The Firefly Club (Ann Arbor), and the East Lansing Art Festival.
Ms. McDaniel has toured with virtuoso clarinetist Dave Bennett, appearing regionally and nationally with his quartet (San Diego Jazz Fest, Three Rivers Jazz Festival, Chandler Jazz Festival (AZ), and Clambake Music Festival in Oregon). Regionally Arlene has appeared with The Dave Bennett Quartet on Beaver Island, at The Dirty Dog (Detroit), Billy’s Tip ‘N Inn (White Lake), and the Rec Bowl of Mt. Clemens. Arlene has long time musical relationships with bassists Nick Calandro, & Ed Fedewa; drummers Randy Gillespie & Larry Ochiltree; and vocalists Sheila Landis & Sunny Wilkinson. Arlene was the accompanist for the MSU Vocal Jazz Ensemble I from 2005-08, under the direction of Sunny Wilkinson. Miscellaneous appearances include The Lansing Symphony Orchestra Big Band, The Truth in Jazz Orchestra (Grand Rapids), The Pied Pipers, and The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
From 1996 - 2000 Arlene was involved in a mentoring program intended to guide young women interested in jazz, and working in the field – “Sisters in Jazz”. Sponsored by the IAJE (International Association for Jazz Education), this pilot program was launched in part by Sunny Wilkinson, internationally known jazz vocalist/educator. They performed concerts around Michigan, including the Montreux-Detroit Jazz Festival, Ypsilanti Heritage Fest, and Taste of Detroit Festival. Sisters in Jazz has now become an International Collegiate competition through the Jazz Educators Network.
In 2020 Arlene took over the piano chair with the Latin/Salsa group ORQUESTA RITMO, led by Mike Eyia. Ritmo appears regularly at Urban Beat of Lansing, and has appeared at the Blue Llama Jazz Club of Ann Arbor, Lansing Jazz Festival, Summer Solstice Jazz Festival, Ann Arbor Summer Festival, 517 Hispanic Heritage Festival, as well as numerous events and private functions around the state of Michigan.
Beyond her diverse talents on stage, Arlene is an accomplished composer/arranger and has appeared on a number of recordings as both a pianist and arranger. In November of 2022 Arlene was the musical director/arranger, pianist and co-producer for Mike Daniels CD ‘Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?’. Other CD projects include Kerry Moffit’s ‘What Goes Around Comes Around’ (2021), as a side musician. Arlene was the musical arranger/pianist on Mike Eyia’s ‘Ritmo Patria’ (2021), featuring the music of Gregg Hill. Arlene's trio of many years with Gene Rebeck (bass) and Ian LeVine (drums) released their recording 'Timeless’ (2009). Timeless has received international airplay and is currently available streaming online or from the artist. The bulk of the recording contains her original compositions.
During the pandemic in the summer of 2020, Arlene was inspired by the raising of Monarch butterflies, and has written a suite of 4 movements, titled Monarch Suite. Videos are available on her You Tube channel. Additional information online at www.reverbnation.com/arlenemcdaniel
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Thinking about jazz music for your event? |
An accomplished arranger and composer |
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Ms. McDaniel can be hired for any type of event that would benefit from live music. Be it background music or a musical performance, jazz is very adaptable to all situations.
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Arlene is an accomplished composer/arranger and can be hired for electronic music copying using the music notation software Finale
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"If music be the food of love, play on" William Shakespeare
