Dan Zanes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dan Zanes
Dan Zanes plays mandolin on stage in 2007.
Background information
Birth name	Daniel Edgerly Zanes
Born	(1961-11-08) November 8, 1961 (age 63) Exeter, New Hampshire, US
Genres	Rock garage rock folk roots rock children's sea shanties
Occupation(s)	Musician singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals harmonica guitar banjo mandolin
Years active	1980–present
Labels	Festival Five

Daniel Edgerly Zanes, born on November 8, 1961, is a cool American musician. He plays rock, folk, and especially music for families and kids! He used to be in a band called the Del Fuegos in the 1980s. Later, he led a group called Dan Zanes and Friends. Today, he performs with his wife, Claudia Eliaza Zanes, as Dan + Claudia.

Dan Zanes: A Musician for All Ages

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Dan Zanes grew up in New Hampshire. His dad was a teacher, a poet, and a writer. Dan also has a brother, Warren Zanes, who is a musician too.

Dan loved music from a young age. When he was seven, he discovered the music of Lead Belly at the library. Other musicians who inspired him early on included Woody Guthrie, Ella Jenkins, and Pete Seeger. He went to Phillips Academy for two years. Later, he attended Oberlin College, where he met his future bandmate, Tom Lloyd.

Rocking Out with The Del Fuegos

Dan Zanes was part of the band the Del Fuegos. They played in many different places, from small clubs to big theaters.

In 1984, Rolling Stone magazine called the Del Fuegos the "Best New Band." With the band, Dan made several albums. These included The Longest Day (1984) and Boston, Mass (1985). They also had a popular song called Don't Run Wild.

Creating Music for Families

After Dan and his family moved to New York City, he started playing music with other parents. They met in playgrounds in the West Village. This group became the Wonderland String Band. They played at parks and parties.

Dan realized he loved making music that families could enjoy together. It wasn't just for kids or just for adults. So, he added more musicians to his band. He renamed it the Rocket Ship Revue. He then made a full album at home. Some famous musicians he knew from his Del Fuegos days helped out. These included Sheryl Crow, Suzanne Vega, and Simon Kirke.

The Success of Rocket Ship Beach

The album, Rocket Ship Beach (2000), was a big hit! The New York Times Magazine called it "cool." They said Dan's music worked because it was "just music," not only "kids music." Sheryl Crow and Suzanne Vega were guest singers on this album.

In 2000, Dan started his group, Dan Zanes and Friends. He also launched his own record label, Festival Five Records. Variety magazine noted in 2004 that Dan Zanes and Friends were special. They focused on having fun with music, not just selling things.

More Family Albums and Collaborations

Their second album, Family Dance (2001), featured dance songs from many different music styles. It included Loudon Wainwright III and Rosanne Cash. The third album, Night Time! (2002), was calmer. It had collaborations with Aimee Mann, Lou Reed, and Dar Williams.

In 2003, Dan Zanes appeared as himself in a TV special. It was called Dragon Tales Let's Start a Band. The fourth family album was House Party (2003). This album had 20 lively songs. It used many instruments like guitars, banjos, violin, and tuba. House Party was nominated for a Grammy Award. Music videos from House Party were shown on the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon's Noggin.

In 2007, Dan Zanes won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for Children. This was for his album Catch That Train! (2006). He also helped produce a children's reggae CD.

His album 76 Trombones (2009) had a Broadway and showtune theme. It featured guest singers like Matthew Broderick and Carol Channing.

In 2017, Dan released Lead Belly, Baby!. This album covered songs by Lead Belly. Other artists like Billy Bragg and Chuck D also contributed. Later that year, he and Claudia Eliaza performed Night Train 57. This was a special "sensory-friendly folk opera."

Dan Zanes

Dan + Claudia: A Musical Duo

Since 2021, Dan Zanes has performed with his wife, Claudia Eliaza Zanes. They are known as Dan + Claudia. They have released two albums together. These are Let Love Be Your Guide (2021) and Pieces of Home (2024).

Personal Life

In 1987, Dan Zanes married Paula Greif. They had one daughter, born in 1994.

In 2016, Dan met Claudia Eliaza. They got married in 2018. In 2019, they moved from Brooklyn to Baltimore. They are members of a Black Baptist church in Baltimore.

Discography

With the Del Fuegos

• The Longest Day (1984)
• Boston, Mass. (1985)
• Stand Up (1987)
• Smoking in the Fields (1989)

Solo Albums

• Cool Down Time (1995)

Family Music Albums

• Rocket Ship Beach (2000)
• Family Dance (2001)
• Night Time! (2002)
• House Party (2003)
• All Around the Kitchen! (2005)
• Catch That Train! (2006)
• The Welcome Table (2008)
• ¡Nueva York! (2008)
• 76 Trombones (2009)
• Little Nut Tree (2011)
• Turn Turn Turn (2013) with Elizabeth Mitchell
• Lead Belly, Baby! (2017)
• Night Train 57 (2018) with Claudia Eliaza and Yuriana Sobrino

Traditional Music Albums

• Sea Music (2003)
• Parades and Panoramas: 25 Songs Collected by Carl Sandburg for the American Songbag (2004)

With Claudia Eliaza Zanes

• Let Love Be Your Guide (2021)
• Pieces of Home (2024)

Singles

• 2001: Hello
• 2002: Smile Smile Smile
• 2003: All Around the Kitchen
• 2006: Catch That Train!

Awards and Recognition

Dan Zanes has received several awards for his music.

Filmography

• 2003 — Let's Start a Band: A Dragon Tales Music Special
• 2008 – Revolutionary Road
• 2009 – Wonderful World – Sweeny