Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley welcomes Seattle’s own, pianist Walt Wagner, performing originals and some favorite covers. Band members are: Dan Dean (electric bass) and Ben Smith (drums).
Seattle-based pianist Walt Wagner has performed with Jay Leno, Bill Cosby, Bob Hope, George Burns, Lily Tomlin, Roberta Flack, Sammy Davis, Jr., Bob Newhart, and as pianist-conductor with Peggy Lee. He toured internationally with Peggy Fleming in “A Concert on Ice”, and has performed extensively at Sun Valley, Idaho. He was featured for two years at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at University of Idaho. He has performed regularly at Seattle’s famed Canlis, where he played a concert which was live-streamed internationally and recorded for the Sub Pop album, “Reworks”.
Wagner’s guest appearances include The Tonight Show, Merv Griffin, and an Andy Williams & Peggy Fleming special at Madison Square Garden.
As a composer Wagner’s Commissions include: Fanfare, for Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra (conductor, Adam Stern); Rhythms – for Piano, Winds & Percussion, for Washington Wind Symphony (pianist, Walt Wagner; conductor, Gene Aitken) and a recording with Seattle Symphony Orchestra (see Recordings, below); The Miracle – Concerto for Piano & Orchestra, for a recording with Seattle Symphony Orchestra (pianist, Walt Wagner; conductor, Gerard Schwarz).
Dan Dean is a truly multitalented artist. Dan has achieved national and international recognition as a Bassist, Producer, Composer, and as an audio and recording Engineer. Dan has performed with the some of the finest musicians and musical organizations of our time, including: Shelly Manne, Howard Roberts, The Great Guitars (Herb Ellis, Charlie Byrd, Barney Kessell), B.B. King, Dave Grusin, Don Grusin, Ernestine Anderson, Ernie Watts, the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, and many others. Dan has been a major contributor to music education. He is the author of the widely successful Hal Leonard Series for Electric Bass Method Books 1, 2 and 3, Hal Leonard Electric Bass Studio Series Books 1, 2 and 3, Bass Trax and other related projects. He has been a member of the teaching faculties in Jazz studies and Electric Bass, of Western Washington University, Olympic College and Shoreline College.
Ben Smith is the drummer for the legendary rock band Heart and is one of the world’s most respected and talented rock musicians. In 2016 he formed a new band Roadcase Royale with Nancy Wilson of Heart and former Prince Vocalist, Liv Warfield. Roadcase Royale, includes Chris Joyner on keys, Dan Rothchild on bass, and Ryan Waters on guitar. Ben has been performing, songwriting, recording, and producing for over thirty years. In addition to HEART, led by Ann and Nancy Wilson, Ben has worked live and in studio with countless other gifted artists including Taj Mahal, Cyndi Lauper, Peter Frampton, and with Jazz, Blues, and New Age legends such as Ernestine Anderson, Kenny G, and banjo prodigy Danny Barnes.