Jazz pianist and composer Dan Rufolo joins the Heart Dance Records family with his deeply reflective and thought-provoking solo piano release, Jazz Meditations. 

 

These relaxing and meditative compositions were derived over several years from Dan's performances at Sunday morning church services, as well as influenced by jazz standards and hymns. Dan's music sets the listener at ease and lets them enter a calming, relaxing and meditative state.  

 

New Jersey-based composer and pianist, Daniel Rufolo exhibits a diverse repertoire, ranging from Jazz to New Age, which has been referred to as vibrant, transmittable energy.

 

In 2010, Dan received a Bachelor’s Degree in jazz performance from William Paterson University and a Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music in 2013. Throughout his studies, he received instruction from musicians such as Mulgrew Miller, Dave Liebman, Harold Mabern, Rich Perry, and Jim McNeely. Under the wings of Professors Lisa Yui and Elka Kirkpatrick, Dan discovered his passion for classical and western concert music, which has made him a versatile and imaginative pianist.

 

Dan has engaged audiences with his original music and spirited performance throughout New York City and New Jersey at venues such as the Blue Note, Smalls, Cornelia Street Cafe, Shanghai Jazz, and Mondo Summit. 

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In 2009, he brought together the Dan Rufolo Trio with Arthur Vint (drums) and Bill Thoman (bass), to record his debut album Novelty. According to JazzCorner, "Novelty is thought-provoking, invigorating, and you'll find yourself holding your breath not to miss a note. The Dan Rufolo trio is always thinking forward while making sure to keep a grasp on the jazz tradition." In 2011, the Dan Rufolo Trio recorded a second album, Laughter, with the addition of Rich Perry (tenor sax) and Nathan Eklund (trumpet). Time Out New York described the band as "spry yet reflective.”

 

Shortly after these two albums, Dan’s musical evolution took him to a more reflective space. His compositions began to draw inspiration from meditation and his own spiritual journey. In 2014 Dan released Sacred Jazz, a solo piano album composed and recorded in a meditative manner. It includes his original compositions, jazz standards, and a few hymns. C. Michael Bailey from All About Jazz wrote, “Simplicity and quietude are laudable goals in a jazz recording. They are often hard to pull off. Many artists wish to flex technical muscles in solo recordings and this is antithetical to simplicity and quietude. Pianist Dan Rufolo finds the sweet spot in the simple and still in his meditative suite made up of a baker's dozen of originals and standards whose orbit is somewhere around a Zen Christian spirituality.”

 

In 2017 Dan founded Young Lion Audio, a small team comprised of highly experienced composers, innovators, and engineers dedicated to creating the perfect soundscape for any film project. Through his company, Rufolo has had the opportunity to score original compositions for various media including Prudential, PepsiCo, United Way, AECOM and Mozilla. His music has also been featured on HBO and used in various films. Dan’s music continues to evolve and has a lasting broad impact.