Bio
(Photo by Benjamin Borkowski)
Dr. Daniel Puccio is a Phoenix based composer/arranger, multi-instrumentalist and educator. A saxophonist comfortable in multiple genres, he has performed with such notable artists as the Temptations, the Four Tops, Chris Potter, Dave Holland, Jerry Lewis, and Bernard Purdie. He is one of the original members of the Bobby Streng Saxomble, and is a prominently featured soloist on the group's premier recording, "Live At The Firefly". In 2010 he traveled to Cuba, where he studied the role of the saxophone in Cuban music, and performed with numerous Cuban ensembles, including Palmas y Cañes. He is the founder of the Positivity Project—a series of mixed media collaborations using music, live video and dance.
His compositions and arrangements have been performed across the Unites States by various collegiate and high school ensembles including the University of Michigan Jazz Ensemble, Mesa Community College Concert Band, the Newberry College Jazz Ensemble. His Jazz Mass (a seven movement setting of the ELW Liturgy commissioned by the University of Michigan) premiered with the LOL All-Stars in 2007. Other commissions include Papa's Farm (a four movement dance suite) for the West Texas A&M Department of Dance Centennial, and Bone Portraits for the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. His compositions and arrangements for the world premiere of Charles L. Mee's soot and spit were nominated for a 2013 AriZoni Theater Excellence Award for best original score, and his music for Liz Duffy Adam's Dog Act has received a 2014 AriZoni nomination for the same category.
As an educator, he has served as Faculty Instructor of Saxophone at the Interlochen Arts Camp, and as a clinician for the University of Michigan Jazz Festival, the Highland Jazz Festival and the Crystal City Jazz Festival in Corning, NY. He has also been a featured guest artist and clinician with the University of Richmond's Cuban music ensemble.
Dr. Puccio is the instructor of Woodwinds with Arizona State University's Sun Devil Marching Band, and is the Director of the widely acclaimed ASU Dixie Devils. Dr. Puccio also serves on the teaching faculty at Desert Ridge Music Academy and Music Maker Workshops. He has previously served as the director of Sound and Recording for the Arizona State University School of Music.
He holds degrees in Improvisation, Music Education, and Saxophone Performance from SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music, the University of Michigan, and Arizona State University.
Dr. Puccio exclusively plays Deering Banjos and Kazoobie Kazoos.
His compositions and arrangements have been performed across the Unites States by various collegiate and high school ensembles including the University of Michigan Jazz Ensemble, Mesa Community College Concert Band, the Newberry College Jazz Ensemble. His Jazz Mass (a seven movement setting of the ELW Liturgy commissioned by the University of Michigan) premiered with the LOL All-Stars in 2007. Other commissions include Papa's Farm (a four movement dance suite) for the West Texas A&M Department of Dance Centennial, and Bone Portraits for the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. His compositions and arrangements for the world premiere of Charles L. Mee's soot and spit were nominated for a 2013 AriZoni Theater Excellence Award for best original score, and his music for Liz Duffy Adam's Dog Act has received a 2014 AriZoni nomination for the same category.
As an educator, he has served as Faculty Instructor of Saxophone at the Interlochen Arts Camp, and as a clinician for the University of Michigan Jazz Festival, the Highland Jazz Festival and the Crystal City Jazz Festival in Corning, NY. He has also been a featured guest artist and clinician with the University of Richmond's Cuban music ensemble.
Dr. Puccio is the instructor of Woodwinds with Arizona State University's Sun Devil Marching Band, and is the Director of the widely acclaimed ASU Dixie Devils. Dr. Puccio also serves on the teaching faculty at Desert Ridge Music Academy and Music Maker Workshops. He has previously served as the director of Sound and Recording for the Arizona State University School of Music.
He holds degrees in Improvisation, Music Education, and Saxophone Performance from SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music, the University of Michigan, and Arizona State University.
Dr. Puccio exclusively plays Deering Banjos and Kazoobie Kazoos.
(Photo by Robert McCarthy)