Biography of Daniel Menjivar
Daniel Menjivar is an accomplished bassist and a respected arranger with an established reputation of exceptional professionalism. His performances in numerous studios and before live audiences have won him recognition as one of the most promising Latin bass players in North America.
Daniel's bass playing sounds more and more promising as time goes by...
– Luis Orbegoso, Toronto-based Percussionist.
Since 1992, Daniel has been playing professionally throughout North America – his diverse experiences have helped to shape his distinguished sound and have established him with a solid foundation in many styles. At the same time, his dedication to Latin genres (and their influence on his music) is evident in his unwavering sense of time and rhythmic precision.
...his sense of time is very precise; his tumbaos are both sweet and strong at the same time...
– Feliciano Arango, NG La Banda.
Toronto bandleader, Igor Babich, states, "Daniel is an intelligent player, he easily adapts to a variety of styles."
This uncommon ability to fluidly adapt has brought much attention to Daniel and his signature sound – he has played and recorded with many well-known, respected artists including Juno award winner Hilario Durán; Juno award winner Manuel Jara of Oscar Lopez' band; Grammy Recipient and Rumba All-Star Israel "Toto" Berriel (formerly of Los Muñequitos de Matanzas); Grammy Academy member and world-renowned composer Luis Emilio Ríos; Cuban salsa star, Rojitas; and countless others.
Daniel was born into a musical family with a long heritage of guitar players. His family's musical traditions have been passed down to him since the early age of five when he began his musical studies. After seven years of intense rhythmic and harmonic studies he started to experiment on different instruments including drums, congas, percussion, vocals, clarinet and bass. His love for the electric bass was undeniably strong, but even while his bass studies intensified, he continued simultaneous studies on the guitar. Eventually, his proficiency on the electric bass far exceeded his guitar abilities, but even today, Daniel continues to play the guitar as well as congas and other Latin percussion instruments.
While attending the reputable Humber College (in Toronto, Canada) for studies in Jazz and contemporary music (with a focus on composing and arranging), Daniel embarked on his own private studies and research into the roots and development of Afro-Cuban and traditional Latin American music.
...his background in Latin and Jazz music runs deep...
– Peter Robinson, Vancouver-based Band Leader.
Daniel has had the good fortune of studying with various internationally acclaimed musicians including "The Father of Timba" – Cuban bass player Feliciano Arango of NG la Banda; New York session bassist John Benitez; and Daniel's mentor, the highly sought, Tokyo-based Dale James, who is regarded among the greats as one of the best bassists alive today. Daniel's extensive knowledge of music theory, as well as his modern approach to electric bass technique have established him with his own roster of aspiring students.
Presently, Daniel is focusing more on arranging than performance and is working on numerous arranging projects with a myriad of artists across the globe. For more information on performances, lessons, clinics, charts, arrangements, or for any general inquiries, feel free to contact Daniel directly.