From Melbourne to the rue des Lombards
Born in Melbourne to an American mother and a French father, Daniel Gassin led a dual career as a lawyer and jazz pianist before choosing music and relocating to Paris.
Training and background
Daniel started piano at age 4 and discovered jazz at 11 in Melbourne. He joined his first ensemble at 16 and frequented the jam sessions of the city's clubs, rubbing shoulders with future figures of the Australian jazz scene.
At the same time, he earned a dual degree from the University of Melbourne (Arts and Law) and became a practising lawyer at the Melbourne bar at 25, juggling two demanding careers for seven years before choosing jazz.
International stage
Finalist at the Montreux Jazz Festival International Solo Piano Competition (2007), finalist at the Australian National Jazz Awards (2013), nominated for the Freedman Fellowship (2016). Selected for the Banff Center (Canada) where trumpeter Dave Douglas praised his improvisational talent.
First pianist to inaugurate Q's, Quincy Jones' jazz club in Dubai (2016). Tours in Sweden, Burkina Faso, Angola, Mauritius and the Seychelles through the US State Department's Africa Regional Services program (2018).
Paris and collaborations
Based in Paris since 2013, Daniel was quickly spotted at jam sessions by Felipe Cabrera, Benjamin Henocq and Manuel Marchès. He performs at the legendary clubs on rue des Lombards alongside Tricia Evy, Christophe Dal Sasso and Thierry Fanfant.
He collaborates with Grammy Award-winning trumpeter/guitarist Josiah Woodson, Canadian trumpeter Rachel Therrien, and vocalist Alita Moses. He has also performed with American greats Dave Liebman, George Garzone, Leroy Jones and Rick Margitza.
Albums and projects
Four albums as leader: "Roundtrip" (2004), "Crossover" Trio (2008, ABC Jazztrack), the Sextet album (2011, nominated Best Jazz Album at the AIR Awards), and "Change of Heart" with his Crossover Band (2021, Jazz Family label).
Musical universe
Styles
Notable venues
"One day, while waiting for my lesson, I heard the student before me playing a jazz piece. I thought: that's what I want to play!" — That's how Daniel discovered jazz at age 11. Since then, from Melbourne to Paris via Montreux and Dubai, he has never stopped pushing the boundaries of his art, from Brazilian jazz to crossover.