| Nancy J. Frank Productions Ltd. |
Michael
Danso
November 18, 2009
Danso
November 18, 2009
Scottish-born and Toronto-based, MICHAEL DANSO comes from a Show Business family. His
mother, PINKIE MACKENZIE, sang with all the top musical organizations such as LESLIE
HUTCHINSON ORCHESTRA and THE BILLY GEORGE TRIO when she and they toured Great
Britain, and Michael first sang onstage with her at the age of 5, with The BERTIE KING BAND.
By age 9, Michael was touring with his own group of girls, under the name WEE MAXIE AND
HIS LASSIES.
At 10, he was spotted by ELLA FITZGERALD, who was performing across the street and
wanted to know which local group was drawing large line-ups. Fitzgerald was impressed and
offered to take Michael to the U.S. his grandmother vetoed the idea.
Michael finally reached North America. He was 19 and performing in the Venus Company
production of HAIR. A photo session with Richard Avedon put Michael’s face on many record
albums and brought on the attention of the public. He became a Broadway Gypsy and along
the way has appeared in "PIPPIN" (MAGICIAN/MAGIC-MAN) and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
(JUDAS), and ANNA LUCASTA (RUDOLPH) in Los Angeles, California. He fell in love with Los
Angeles spending 3 years making a living singing jingles with his own highly successful
company, "LIPS". Then spent 3 years touring the Far East and set up an Agency booking U.S
artists into Japan, Korea, and Thailand & Guam.
Upon settling in Canada, Michael immediately became a favorite of audiences and media
alike, a status he continues to enjoy. He's performed regularly in all the top Festivals and
Nightclubs acted and performed in such musicals as THE THREEPENNY OPERA (MACHEATH),
THE BOYFRIEND (BOBBY VAN HEUSEN), and made his Dramatic debut starring in THE AFRICAN
ROSCIUS, (ALDREDGE) a Play based on the life of 19th Century Black Shakespearean actor
IRA ALDRIDGE to Critical acclaim. It is said that Michael is the first Black Man in Canada to
Host and Perform on his own Regular Series Television Show (JUST JAZZ-CHCH T.V.). A
recent incarnation on the Broadway and World Stage has been with RIVERDANCE- THE
MUSICAL (FREEDOM SINGER, etc,) In his most recent incarnation on the World Stage, Michael
appeared at Sir Richard DeMarco's Roxy Theatre in Edinburgh, Scotland during the FRINGE
FESTIVAL, starring in the role of THE BARD in the original production of ROB ROY - THE
MUSICAL and received much deserved Critical approval and rave reviews from the British
Press Corps.
Michael has performed, appeared and done projects with many people of his same world-
wide reputation.
A random listing includes: Marty Allen, Denice Williams, Diahnne Carroll, Jack Jones,
Maureen Forrester, Martin Short, Anne Murray , Rich Little, Al Waxman, Meatloaf, Lola
Falana, Emma Samms, Sammy Davis, Maureen Arthur, Carmen MacRae, Stan Shaw, Mark
Murphy, Eartha Kitt, Don Harron, Don Shirley, Nick Nolte, Martin Shore,Wayne Fleming, Joan
Collins, Jim Carey, Blake Emmons, June Lockhart, Dan Blocker, Leonard Nimoy, Allan Thicke,
Dakota Staton,Don Harron and Katherine McKinnon, Dame Vera Lynn, Nichelle Nichols( Lt.
Uhura-"Star Trek" ), Jackie Trent, Mesach Taylor, Goldie Hawn, Ella Fitzgerald, Soupy Sales,
Amada Ambrose, Jackie Vernon, Cynthia Dale, Mimi Kuzyk, Ben Vereen, Marilyn May, Juliette,
LesterWilliams as well as many others..
Discography
Give Me That Jazz ( Syrdan ) 2003
White Tie and Tails ( Syrdan ) 2004
Harlem to Hollywood ( Syrdan ) 2005
Love For Sale ( Syrdan ) 2006
The Compilation ( Syrdan ) 2008
Danso sings Gershwin ( Syrdan ) 2008
Danso sings Ellington ( Syrdan ) 2008
| Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts 88 Dalhousie Brantford, Ontario Tickets: $27.00 To reserve tickets call: 1.800.265.0710 or 519.758.8090 or email us at: bdjazz@rogers.com |
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