Danny Fowler - Swing Ukulele

You can expect from me the utmost professionalism. I'll be early (not rushed), I'll be well dressed and clean, my equipment will work (I always have backups), and my music will be top notch.

I play a wide variety of music but excel at classic jazz from the '10s through the '40s played on ukulele, banjo ukulele, and guitar. In addition, I can play luaus and beech party music. If you need a bigger group for a bigger impact, I work with a top notch collection of musicians from a wide variety of styles including but not limited to jazz, swing, western swing, bluegrass, praise and worship, folk, and rock.

Further, you can expect me to do everything in my power to assist with the sound and flow of the wedding or event. A lot of brides ask family members to speak or sing or perform music. I can provide not only the sound reinforcement to make that happen, but in some cases even the backup to make it happen.

As an example, a wedding I recently performed at had a family member playing guitar during the ceremony. They used my amplifier and microphone to perform. Unfortunately, the family member's guitar stopped working right (dead battery) on the first strum. We were quickly able to switch guitars and get her singing in under thirty seconds. The song was sung, and the moment was not ruined.

My name is Danny Fowler. I've been living in Kansas City since 2005. I moved here from Oklahoma following a girl (my wife). Classic story, but you want to hear about music. I play swing music. I can't really characterize it any planer than that. Western Swing, Early Jazz, Dixie Land, or just Swing. It's what I play. My motto for music is and always will be, "It don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing." Thank you, Duke Ellington, for putting my emotions for music into words.

I was raised on folk, classic rock (Eagles), and bluegrass. Which is an odd combination if it weren't for the hundreds of trips to Branson, MO when I was younger. Who knows how many greats I've forgotten seeing play over the years. One thing is for sure, that influence drives me to find more and more music I like.

In college, I discovered swing music in the most proper way I can imagine. I went to one swing dance club event following a girl (see a pattern?) and I was hooked on swing and jazz. I spent hours learning to dance, began building a vast collection of music which pushed me into DJing, and started teaching all across Oklahoma and in many other parts of the midwest. After I moved to KC in 2005, I stumbled into playing swing guitar in a musical and it went downhill from there.

Now, I play musicals all over town, play music for church (swing, folk, and Christian rock), and lead ukulele groups in the north land. Last year I recorded a self produced, mixed, recorded, and designed demo: Swing Ukulele. In 2015, I taught as the principal Swing Guitarist for Folk Alliance International's Winter Music Camp.

I don't want you to think I limit myself to just swing and old timey music. As a musician I can provide a wide variety of music for events like weddings or corporate gigs. If you have a song, I can likely play it.

My career as a musician keeps building and building up every year. It's great fun and I continue to have a truly marvelous time.

I have the ability to provide my own PA system. Generally, I need a space about 15' wide by 10' deep when I have my full PA system.

If I am playing only with a small "kit" (acoustic amp, one mic, one instrument), I can get by with as small as a 5' x 5' space.

Acoustically (no mic/amp), I can usually fit where there is a chair.

For full production gigs on stages, I generally require a microphone for vocals and for my amp. Monitors are nice, but since I'm a soloist most days, not necessary.

No special lighting outside of the venue's standard are required.

FOR WEDDINGS:
I can provide PA and wireless microphones for the service. I usually only perform during services and cocktail hours. If you hire a DJ for your reception, they may not be able to provide you with adequate sound during the ceremony. I can provide that. Please ask about what you may need.