Thompson, Danny, (actually, Daniel Henry Edward; aka Harnzah)

Thompson, Danny, (actually, Daniel Henry Edward; aka Harnzah), pop-jazz double bassist, trombonist, composer; b. Teignmouth, Devon, England, April 4, 1939. Lived in London from age of five. Made early efforts on tenor sax, drums, trumpet, and mandolin, then played tea-chest bass in a skiffle group. At age 16, began playing professionally in clubs, then did two years in the Army, and played trombone in Army bands. After his discharge, he returned to London where he worked with various bands and led his own trio (featuring John McLaughlin and Tony Roberts). He then played with blues-revivalist Alexis Körner (1964-67), and was a founding member of the folk-jazz group Pentangle (1968-73). During the 1970s worked often in Stan Tracey’s Open Circle, and (from 1974) with singer/songwriter John Martyn, while continuing to do freelance session work. His freelance work grew greatly in the 1980s and 1990s when he worked with pop acts like Talk Talk, Kate Bush, and Rod Stewart. He formed the group Whatever to play an eclectic mix of jazz and other music in the late 1980s. Since the early 1990s, he has often accompanied guitarist/songwriter Richard Thompson (no relation) on both duo and band tours; the two collaborated on an album on the decline of industrial Britain in 1996.

Discography

Whatever (1988); Whatever Next (1989); Elemental (1990). Richard Thompson: Industry (1996).

—John Chilton whoʼs Who of British Jazz/Lewis Porter