for bookings: 206-420-7671; tomcollier@tomcolliervibes.com / 206-232-6191; dan@dandeanpro.com
for audio: http://www.tomcolliervibes.com/listen/s/giant_steps
for audio: http://www.dandeanpro.com/Bassist/audio/S_Wonderful-Web.mp3
"Joined at the hip (very hip) for four decades, they boast a passion for exploration and curiosity greater than Lewis and Clark's" - Harvey Siders, Jazz Times magazine -
"...Paired down to just the vibes and electric bass, a sound that proves, in their hands, rich and bright and glowingly confident" - Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz magazine -
"Dean is a particularly fluent and witty electric bassist, and although he is generally in a supportive role, he sometimes steals solo honors" - Scott Yanow, All Music Guide -
"Their creativity and widely-spanning musical chops make them a delight to hear, without any fear of boredom due to the unusual duo instrumentation" - John Henry, Audiophile Audition magazine -
"Speaking of technical brilliance, the show was opened by an impressive set by Tom Collier, vibraphonist, and Dan Dean, bassist, who have developed a strong musical affinity by playing together some 15 years" - Patrick MacDonald, Seattle Times
"...begins almost imperceptibly as the bass introduces the theme with the vibes swirling in to surround it like a swirling fog on a moonlit evening" - C. Panagiotakos, The Lowell Dispatch -
Tom Collier and Dan Dean grew up across the street from one another in West Seattle and have played music together professionally in various configurations for over 50 years. As a duo, Tom and Dan have recorded and performed in concert with artists such as Ernie Watts, Don Grusin, Larry Coryell, Bill Frisell, Howard Roberts, George Duke, Bobby Shew, Alex Acuna, Joe Porcaro, Mike Lang, Emil Richards, Shelly Manne, Bud Shank, William O. “Bill” Smith, Herb Ellis, Ernestine Anderson, Diane Schurr, and Gary Herbig, just to name a few. Duo performance highlights include:
1976: first Collier/Dean Duo performances at Donte's jazz club in North Hollywood, CA
1979: Collier & Dean composition, Piece for Electric Bass, Vibraphone, and Orchestra, premiered by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra; four performances at four locations around the Seattle area
1979-81: duo performances as well as members of the Northwest Jazz Quintet throughout the state of Washington as well as The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., DePaul University, Chicago, IL, and the Centennial Museums and Planetarium Complex, Vancouver, B.C.
1980: performance at the 1980 National Conference of the National Association of Jazz Educators (NAJE) in Albuquerque, NM; presented with "Outstanding Contribution To Jazz Education" award
1982-91: hundreds of duo performances in public schools around the state of Washington supported by various grants from the Washington State Arts Commission
1982-present: numerous performances in Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Los Angeles, and other west coast cities at various jazz clubs including Donte's, Parnell's, Jazz Alley, The Tin Ear, Baked Potato, Pasquales; performance hall concerts at the Terrace Theater, Kenndy Center (Washington, D.C.), DePaul University Theater Center, Seattle Opera House, Meany Theater, Benaroya Recital Hall, the Spokane Opera House, Albuquerque Convention Center, Brechemin Auditorium, Cirque Playhouse, Poncho Theater, Bainbridge Museum Of Art, Kittitas County Historical Musem, Kenyon Hall, and many more
Selected Duo Discography:
1979: Northwest Jazz Sextet "Journey Without Maps", Keen records - featuring Floyd Standifer (trumpet), William O. "Bill" Smith (clarinet), Bill Kotick (drums)
1980: Howard Roberts "Turning To Spring", Discovery records - featuring Bill Mays (piano)
1981: Collier & Dean "Whistling Midgets", Inner City records - featuring Ernie Watts (sax), Don Grusin (piano), Alex Acuña (drums, percussion), Gary Herbig, (sax)
2005: Collier & Dean "Duets", Origin records (vibraphone and electric bass duo)
2014: *Collier & Dean *"Sleek Buick", Origin records - featuring Ernie Watts (sax), Don Grusin (piano), Alex Acuña (drums), Gary Herbig, (sax), Allen Vizzutti (trumpet), Ted Poor (drums)
* album accepted for placement on first round GRAMMY AWARD ballot for "Best Instrumental Jazz Album"
