Biography

“… drummer Dan Israelsen impressively driving the ensemble”
(John Fordham, The Guardian)

Daniel is a London-based drummer, educator and author. He specialises in jazz playing but has a wide range of knowledge in other styles too. In 2014 he graduated from Trinity Laban Conservatoire, earning an MMus degree prior to which he graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama obtaining a 1st class degree and received the Maldé Jazz Prize for best final recital. During his studies he played in projects that featured Stan Sulzmann, John Surman, John Warren and Gareth Lockrane.
He has since published two drum books, played abroad with a traditional jazz band, established himself as a respected teacher, been a bandleader featuring Hannes Riepler, Martin Speake and Charlie Stacey. After the pandemic in 2021 he established a fortnightly jazz jam night with a colleague at The Hamlet Bar in Streatham.

He enrolled at the musical foundation course in Holstebro, Denmark when he was 18 years of age. Within a week he became part of a band and performed in the local area. In 2008 while still at the music school, he received a grant for showing great development and having a fine understanding of sound on the instrument.

Through Daniel’s extensive learning he has had the privilege of studying with Anders Mogensen, Morten Lund, Kresten Osgood, Andrew Bain, Ralph Salmins, Trevor Tomkins, Gene Calderazzo and Dave Wickins. Classical training with Michael Skinner, improvisation with Martin Hathaway, composition and arranging with Scott Stroman and jazz harmony with Malcolm Edmonstone and Morten Ramsbøl.

Daniel has performed at LSO St. Luke’s, Barbican Centre, Charlie Wrights, Oliver’s Jazz bar, The Vortex, Pizza Express in Soho, Union Chapel, Jamboree, IKLECTIC, Verdict Jazz Club, Brasserie Zédel, Upstairs at the Ritzy, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and has collaborated with the Southbank Sinfonia.