Benefit for the family of John Dana
Donation protected
John Conrad Dana was born on September 20, 1941, in Saginaw, Michigan. He played piano while in elementary school in Toledo and then the trumpet in 7th grade in Madison, Wisconsin. John also won several ribbons for swimming, as well as track and field during those years. He played football at Mount Pleasant High School, where he graduated in 1959.
John began playing the string bass when he attended Central Michigan University from 1959-1963. He credited his older brother, his first bass teacher, for turning him onto jazz recordings. John got his first paying gig in 1960, and went on to play the bass professionally for more than 58 years.
In 1964, John moved to Detroit to study bass under Walter Hardman of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He also joined in several independent study venues, playing music with other young musicians who wanted to experiment with new forms and ideas. One such place included the Detroit Artist's Workshop, where he met Candice VanNewkirk, circa 1966. John and Candice were married from 1970-1981. Their daughter Sylvia was born in 1971. Candice died in Traverse City, Michigan in 2009.
John worked with singers: Brook Benton, Anita O'Day, Rita Moreno and Robert Goulet; jass artists: Donald Byrd, Roland Kirk, Art Blakey, Rashid Ali and Kenny Dorham. He played in the Glen Miller Orchestra, led by Buddy DeFranco. He also played with most of Detroit's local jazz notables.
John lived in Detroit from 1964-1971, New York from 1971-1982, and again in Detroit from 1982 until his passing. He was an active participant and sponsor with Alcoholics Anonymous and celebrated being sober for 36 years on July 11 of this year. He was also a dedicated member of Rosedale Park Baptist Church for many years.
John was admitted to the hospital on his birthday, September 20. He passed away peacefully at Seasons Hospice at Henry Ford Hospital on October 11, 2018 in Wyandotte, Michigan at the age of 77.
John is survived by his daughter Sylvia Dana of Grand Rapids; grandson Ezekiel Dana of Wyoming, Mi; siblings James (Fatima) Dana of Grand Haven and Ruth (Russ) Broderick of Wildwood, Fl. He also leaves behind his beloved cat companion "Kitty". He was preceded in death by his brother Hamid (Lailani) Dana of Detroit, mother Erma Dana of Grand Haven, and father Lester Dana of Farmington Hills.
Join us on November 18th for a benefit dinner and concert to honor John Dana, featuring music from many local musicians who had the honor of playing with him. The concert will be at the Moose Lodge at 27225 W Warren St, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127 at 2pm. Tickets are $25 and includes appetizers, dinner, dessert and entertainment. Cash bar available. All profits will go to John Dana's family. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.
John began playing the string bass when he attended Central Michigan University from 1959-1963. He credited his older brother, his first bass teacher, for turning him onto jazz recordings. John got his first paying gig in 1960, and went on to play the bass professionally for more than 58 years.
In 1964, John moved to Detroit to study bass under Walter Hardman of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He also joined in several independent study venues, playing music with other young musicians who wanted to experiment with new forms and ideas. One such place included the Detroit Artist's Workshop, where he met Candice VanNewkirk, circa 1966. John and Candice were married from 1970-1981. Their daughter Sylvia was born in 1971. Candice died in Traverse City, Michigan in 2009.
John worked with singers: Brook Benton, Anita O'Day, Rita Moreno and Robert Goulet; jass artists: Donald Byrd, Roland Kirk, Art Blakey, Rashid Ali and Kenny Dorham. He played in the Glen Miller Orchestra, led by Buddy DeFranco. He also played with most of Detroit's local jazz notables.
John lived in Detroit from 1964-1971, New York from 1971-1982, and again in Detroit from 1982 until his passing. He was an active participant and sponsor with Alcoholics Anonymous and celebrated being sober for 36 years on July 11 of this year. He was also a dedicated member of Rosedale Park Baptist Church for many years.
John was admitted to the hospital on his birthday, September 20. He passed away peacefully at Seasons Hospice at Henry Ford Hospital on October 11, 2018 in Wyandotte, Michigan at the age of 77.
John is survived by his daughter Sylvia Dana of Grand Rapids; grandson Ezekiel Dana of Wyoming, Mi; siblings James (Fatima) Dana of Grand Haven and Ruth (Russ) Broderick of Wildwood, Fl. He also leaves behind his beloved cat companion "Kitty". He was preceded in death by his brother Hamid (Lailani) Dana of Detroit, mother Erma Dana of Grand Haven, and father Lester Dana of Farmington Hills.
Join us on November 18th for a benefit dinner and concert to honor John Dana, featuring music from many local musicians who had the honor of playing with him. The concert will be at the Moose Lodge at 27225 W Warren St, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127 at 2pm. Tickets are $25 and includes appetizers, dinner, dessert and entertainment. Cash bar available. All profits will go to John Dana's family. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Organizer and beneficiary
Andy Caruso
Organizer
Plymouth, MI
Sylvia Dana
Beneficiary
