Dan Ezard – Bass Guitar and Double Bass
Hi! I’ve been playing bass professionally for over 20 years, and in that time, I’ve done almost every kind of gig imaginable.
I’ve driven vans across Europe, barely survived countless pub gigs, played on morning TV after doing 3 am slots at college balls, played to 60,000 people and then driven straight to a wedding for 60 people.
Early Years and Bass Education
I grew up in Cornwall and Devon and took up music relatively late. I got my first bass on my 15th birthday and a year later dropped out of my A levels to attend the local college on a BTEC in jazz. From there, I attended Leeds Conservatoire for four years earning my Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Contemporary music.
After university, I moved to London and started getting involved in the music scene there. Many years later, I’ve been fortunate enough to exceed any expectations I had when I started messing around on that first bass, and every year brings new adventures and items ticked off the bucket list.
Experience
Below is a list of the bits and bobs I’ve done over the years. I’d call it my CV, but no one in the music industry has ever asked me for anything as formal as qualifications or a CV, so a list it is!
- Gabrielle
- Dermott Kennedy
- Sophie Ellis Bextor
- Il Divo
- Lea Salonga
- Steve Hacket – Genesis Revisited
- Michael Ball
- Living in a Box
- Kenny Thomas
- Bat Out of Hell The Musical (London Coliseum, London Dominion and UK Tour)
- Collabro
- Katrina & The Waves
- The Drifters
- Earl
- X factor (various mimes!)
- GMTV
- Harriet
Alongside the more prominent names, I want to give an idea of the kinds of gigs we all do that pay the bills when not on tour or doing festival seasons. My memory isn’t good enough to recall everything, but it should give you an idea. Social media is full of highlight reels, so I hope this gives you a more straightforward impression of freelancing in the UK music industry!
Musical Theatre
- Disney Cruise Ships
- FAME
- Cabaret
- The Drowsy Chaperone
- Godspell
Jazz
- Emma Smith
- Megan McConnell
- Josie Florence
- Queen Mary 2 Jazz Trio
- More hotels and restaurants than I care to remember!
Party Bands
- Creation Showband
- iParty
- Gatsby
- The White Keys
- ALR Music
- The Chance Band
- Countless Pub Bands
I’ve been lucky enough to play at venues and festivals like Glastonbury, Hyde Park, Isle of Wight Festival, The Albert Hall, and many arenas and theatres in the UK and Europe.
Bass Guitar & Double Bass Lessons
I have also taught bass guitar, double bass and guitar throughout my career and continue to do so in person and via Zoom, Skype etc. You can learn more about my teaching on my dedicated teaching website West London Bass Lessons.
Dan Ezard - Bass Guitar and Double Bass 