Initially a drummer in his high school jazz and concert bands, Daniel Sadownick began his serious involvement with percussion instruments as a student at New York University, inspired by the musical magic pounded out by conga players in Washington Square Park. In the late-1980s, after earning an undergraduate then graduate degree at NYU in Musical Education, the Bronx native toured with jazz vibes giant Lionel Hampton‘s Orchestra for two years. He’s been a reliable presence on the NYC jazz scene ever since, recording and/or playing gigs with notables like Nicholas Payton, Dewey Redman, Dennis Chambers, Christian McBride, Nat Adderley, Nestor Torres, Mike Brecker, Dianne Reeves, and Carl Allen. Flute player Torres’ Mi Alma Latina and saxophonist Brecker’s Wide Angle, won Grammy awards. Sadownick’s own solo album, There Will Be a Day, was well-received upon its release in 2008. The percussionist has been named in various jazz and music industry magazine polls. He’s also a skilled songwriter.

Sadownick, an ambidextrous one-man percussion section, is expert and passionate on congas, bongos, bata, tumbas, quintos, cymbals, cowbells, and an assortment of shakers, claves, shells, etc. from around the world. He creates all sorts of wondrous grooves: Afro-Cuban, Latin, Haitian, American jazz, pop, r&b, and soul. His rhythmic prowess has benefitted award-winning pop albums by Al Green (Lay It Down) and Steely Dan (Two Against Nature). Among other marquee names he’s accompanied in the studio or onstage are the Screaming Headless Torsos (as a band member), Jennifer Lopez, Maxwell, Angie Stone, and Me’shell Ndegeocello.

Sadownick learned from some of the best percussion instructors in the New York City area: Mr. Altieri, in high school; jazz great Andrew Cyrille; Haitian and Cuban rhythms virtuoso John Amira; and the late Latin music master Frank Malabe. Sadownick teaches at NYU.