Daniel Curtis (composer)
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Daniel Curtis is a Welsh composer, singer and musician. As a composer, he is best known for his writing within the theatre industry.


Career

In 2014 he composed and produced "A Miner's Song" with Laura Coyne, which featured over 300 performers including; Michael Sheen, Jonathan Pryce, Paul Potts, John Owen-Jones, Matthew Rhys, Aled Jones, Ioan Gruffudd, Joe Calzaghe and voice of Richard Burton. The song was launched before 74,500 people at the Wales v England game on 16 March 2013 in aid of the Welsh National Coal Mining Memorial. Daniel also received National coverage for taking a piano 300 feet underground into Big Pit in Blaenafon, South Wales to perform a concert in tribute to fallen miners. 2014 saw the release of "Love on 42nd Street", in aid of the BBC Children in Need appeal. The album features the acclaimed single "Why Am I Falling" recorded by Ramin Karimloo. The album also includes songs by West End and Broadway stars including; Lea Salonga, Samantha Barks, Sierra Boggess, John Owen-Jones, and Simon Bowman. The album reached number one on the Amazon and iTunes Broadway and Vocal charts in the UK and US. A series of follow-up singles were released with Broadway stars Laura Osnes, Cheyenne Jackson, Lisa O'Hare, Adam Pascal, Chris McCarrell and Katie Rose Clarke. All the singles topped the iTunes Vocal charts in the UK and US. Daniel held a concert of his work with Laura Coyne at the Royal Albert Hall on 14 October 2014 which featured seventeen West End/Broadway performers including; Alexander Hanson, Rebecca Caine, Charlotte Jaconelli, Cassie Compton and Lucie Jones. In 2014, Daniel and Laura were made patrons of th
Glasgow Philharmonia
an orchestra made up of over one hundred young musicians. The orchestra is unique as it was founded and continues to be organised by young musicians. In September 2014, Daniel and Laura were made patrons o
The Mencap Music Man Project
the project provides daily music sessions for anyone with learning disabilities aged 16 years and above. Daniel and Laura premiered a new song written for the Music Man Project at the London Palladium on 21 June 2015. Daniel and Laura were made ambassadors for the BulliesOut charity in 2017. On 16 May 2015 Dan and Laura released an unofficial musical concept of the Disney/Pixar movie Ratatouille on YouTube. The concept re-imagines four scenes from the film as a musical. This was followed in 2016 by an unofficial musical concept of the Disney/Pixar movie Brave. In June 2016 Dan and Laura launched the second Your Voice Competition in aid of Kindred: The Foundation for Adoption. The lead single 'Standing On My Own' was recorded by Glee star Jenna Ushkwoitz. On 24 October 2016 Daniel and Laura released their second studio album called 'Overture' featuring 21 songs and 2 overtures. The artists on the album are: Marc Broussard, Earl Carpenter, Melinda Doolittle, Matt Doyle, Hannah Elless, Jason Forbach, Matthew Ford, Ashleigh Gray, Emma Hatton, Samantha Hill, James Monroe Iglehart, Adam Jacobs, Arielle Jacobs, Charlotte Jaconelli, Rachel John, Adam Kaplan, Emmanuel Kojo, Kara Lily-Hayworth, Rebecca Luker, Bryce Pinkham, Courtney Reed, Krysta Rodriguez, Will Swenson and Natalie Weiss. November 2018 marked the release of a new song by Daniel and Laura called 'The Hero - A West End, Broadway and Hollywood Tribute' in aid of the charity Help For Heroes. The song featured spoken contributions by: Paul Bettany; Jack Black; Dan Brown; Simon Callow; Craig Cash; Henry Cavill; Bryan Cranston; Dame Judi Dench; Stephen Fry; Josh Gad; Whoopi Goldberg; Kelsey Grammer; Richard E. Grant; Kerry Howard; Jeremy Irons; Sir David Jason; Carole King; Steve Martin; Brian May; Sir Paul McCartney; Kevin McKidd; Alan Menken; Piers Morgan; Matthew Morrison; Wendi Peters; Sir Tony Robinson; Jonathan Ross; William Shatner;
David Suchet Sir David Courtney Suchet ( ; born 2 May 1946) is an English actor. He is known for his work on stage and in television. He portrayed Edward Teller in the television serial '' Oppenheimer'' (1980) and received the RTS and BPG awards for his pe ...
;
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; Levison Wood. The singing contributions on 'The Hero' were recorded by West End & Broadway Performers: Stephen Ashfield (Book Of Mormon Broadway); Sam Bailey (X-Factor Winner); David Bedella (Rocky Horror Show); Norman Bowman (42nd Street West End); Christina Bianco (Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat); Alan Burkitt (Kiss Me Kate West End);
Sophia Anne Caruso Sophia Anne Caruso (born July 11, 2001) is an American actress, singer and dancer best known for originating the role of Lydia Deetz in the Broadway musical ''Beetlejuice'', a role for which she won a Theatre World Award. She also portrays Sophie ...
(NBC Sound Of Music Live!); Rodney Earl Clarke (On The Town West End); Collabro (Britain's Got Talent Winners); Maria Coyne (Wicked West End); Louise Dearman (Wicked West End);
Killian Donnelly Killian Donnelly (born 25 June 1984) is an Irish tenor singer and stage actor. He has appeared in musicals such as ''Les Misérables'', ''The Phantom of the Opera'', and '' Kinky Boots''. Background Donnelly is from Kilmessan, in County Meath, ...
(Les Miserables West End); Samantha Dorsey (Les Miserables West End);
Kerry Ellis Kerry Jane Ellis (born 6 May 1979) is an English actress and singer who is best known for her work in musical theatre and subsequent crossover into music. Born and raised in Suffolk, Ellis began performing at an early age before training at La ...
(Wicked West End); Alice Fearn (Wicked West End); Ben Forster (Phantom Of The Opera West End); Emma Hatton (Wicked West End); Kara Lily-Hayworth (Cilla UK Tour); Matt Henry (Kinky Boots West End); Rob Houchen (Les Miserables West End); Ida; James Monroe Iglehart (Hamilton Broadway); Charlotte Jaconelli (Heathers The Musical West End), Emma Kingston (Evita International Tour); Luke McCall (Phantom Of The Opera West End); Jai McDowall (Britain's Got Talent Winner);
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(Phantom Of The Opera West End); Trevor Dion Nicholas (Aladdin West End and Broadway); David Phelps; Dame Siân Phillips (Cabaret West End);
Laura Pitt-Pulford Laura Pitt-Pulford is a British actress, best known for her work in musical theatre and for playing Carol Butler in ''Emmerdale''. Early life Pitt-Pulford grew up in Rugby, joined a local youth operatic group at age 12, and trained in drama at ...
(Seven Brides For Seven Brothers West End); Joe Aaron Reid (Dreamgirls West End); David Ribi (Dreamboats and Petticoats West End) Oliver Savile (Wicked West End);
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(Hamilton West End); Charlie Stemp (Hello Dolly! Broadway); Savannah Stevenson (Wicked West End); Marisha Wallace (Dreamgirls West End); Emma Williams (Mrs Henderson Presents West End); Michael Xavier (Sunset Boulevard Broadway). April 2019, saw the release of a project supporting a children's hospice called 'Thunder From A Flame' and featured: Alexander Armstrong, Anton Du Beke,
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, Laura Benanti, Daniel Brocklebank, Rob Brydon, John Challis, Joanne Clifton, Angel Coulby, Gino D'Acampo, Jack Dee, Amy Dickson, James Dreyfus, Sally Dynevor, Sir Gareth Edwards, Escala, Will Ferrell, Pam Ferris, Michael Flatley, Michael J. Fox, Leigh Halfpenny, Connie Hyde, Jason Isaacs, Sir Derek Jacobi, Lennie James, Rebecca Keatley, Maureen Lipman, Matt Lucas, Rob Mallard, Tim McInnerny, Mark Moraghan, Sam Neill, James Norton, Kai Owen, Gail Porter,
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, Harry Redknapp, Matthew Rhys, Chita Rivera, Danny Sapani, Rufus Sewell, Reece Shearsmith, Jack P. Shepherd, Colson Smith, Sir Patrick Stewart, Claire Sweeney,
Harriet Thorpe Harriet Amelia Thorpe (born 8 June 1957) is an English actress. Thorpe trained at London's Central School of Speech and Drama. She is known for her roles in the British sitcoms '' The Brittas Empire'' (1991–1997) and ''Absolutely Fabulous'' ( ...
, Michael Le Vell,
Bradley Walsh Bradley John Walsh (born 4 June 1960) is an English actor, television presenter, comedian, singer, and former professional footballer. Walsh's acting roles on television include Danny Baldwin in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' (2004 ...
, Ed Westwick, Laura Wright, Rachel Yankey. The vocals were recorded by Kara Lindsay and Luke McCall. November 2019, the couple released their latest charity project in support of those who are currently the target of bullying behaviour. The Stand project featured messages by: Grace Van Patten; Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Michael Emerson; Bob Odenkirk;
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; Mark Pellegrino; Alfonso Ribeiro; Jerry Springer; Megan Fox; Sir Mark Rylance; James Morrison; Courteney Cox; Robert Patrick Benedict; Sir Michael Palin; Dawn French; Zack Snyder; Larry King; Josh Brolin; David Oyelowo; Ray Romano; Sarah Drew; Monica Lewinsky;
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; Jason Alexander; Naomi Campbell; Joey Fatone; Jack Be; Gene Simmons; Walton Goggins; Brendan O'Carroll; Jennifer Gibney; LisaGay Hamilton; CCH Pounder. Stand was Recorded by country artist Katy Hurt During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown Dan and Laura teamed up with The Barn theatre to present an online concert, featuring West End stars to support the theatre's relief fund. They also released a video series called 'Creativity and Confidence at Home' for children home-schooling due to Worldwide school closures. High-profile contributors included: Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, Dame Kelly Holmes, Heston Blumenthal, Sir Ben Ainslie, Illumination Entertainment, and Billy Collins. Daniel and Laura also specialize in performing American
show tune A show tune is a song originally written as part of the score of a work of musical theatre or musical film, especially if the piece in question has become a standard, more or less detached in most people's minds from the original context. Th ...
s from the first half of the 20th century (also known as
Standards Standard may refer to: Symbols * Colours, standards and guidons, kinds of military signs * Standard (emblem), a type of a large symbol or emblem used for identification Norms, conventions or requirements * Standard (metrology), an object t ...
, or the
Great American Songbook The Great American Songbook is the loosely defined canon of significant 20th-century American jazz standards, popular songs, and show tunes. Definition According to the Great American Songbook Foundation: The "Great American Songbook" is th ...
)."


Collaborations


Media appearances

Daniel has made numerous television appearances including
S4C S4C (, ''Sianel Pedwar Cymru'', meaning ''Channel Four Wales'') is a Welsh language free-to-air public broadcast television channel. Launched on 1 November 1982, it was the first television channel to be aimed specifically at a Welsh-speakin ...
's ''Wedi 3'', the BBC One Show, ''
Songs of Praise ''Songs of Praise'' is a BBC Television religious programme that presents Christian hymns, worship songs and inspirational performances in churches of varying denominations from around the UK alongside interviews and stories reflecting how Ch ...
'' and ''X Ray.'' His radio broadcasts include
BBC Radio 2 BBC Radio 2 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It is the List of most-listened-to radio programs, most popular station in the United Kingdom with over 14 million weekly listeners. Since launching in 1967, the sta ...
,
BBC Radio 3 BBC Radio 3 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It replaced the BBC Third Programme in 1967 and broadcasts classical music and opera, with jazz, world music, Radio drama, drama, High culture, culture and the arts ...
,
BBC Lincolnshire BBC Radio Lincolnshire is the BBC's local radio station serving the county of Lincolnshire. It broadcasts on FM, DAB, digital TV and via BBC Sounds from studios near Newport Arch in Lincoln. According to RAJAR, the station has a weekly aud ...
,
BBC Radio Northampton BBC Radio Northampton is the BBC's local radio station serving the county of Northamptonshire. It broadcasts on FM, DAB, digital TV and via BBC Sounds from studios on Abington Street in Northampton. According to RAJAR, the station has a we ...
,
BBC Radio Merseyside BBC Radio Merseyside is the BBC's local radio station serving Merseyside, North and West Cheshire and West Lancashire. It broadcasts on FM, DAB, digital TV and via BBC Sounds, from studios on Hanover Street in Liverpool. According to RAJAR, t ...
, and
BBC Radio Wales BBC Radio Wales is a Wales, Welsh national radio station owned and operated by BBC Cymru Wales, a division of the BBC. It began broadcasting on 13 November 1978, replacing the Welsh opt-out service of BBC Radio 4. As of August 2022, the stat ...
. He has performed at venues that include
London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
's
Trafalgar Square Trafalgar Square ( ) is a public square in the City of Westminster in Central London. It was established in the early-19th century around the area formerly known as Charing Cross. Its name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, the Royal Navy, ...
(as part of West End Live 2011), the 2010 Welsh Proms at
St David's Hall St David's Hall () is a performing arts and conference venue in the heart of Cardiff, Wales. St David's Hall is the National Concert Hall and Conference Centre of Wales. It hosts the annual Welsh Proms and the biennial BBC Cardiff Singer of t ...
, the
BAFTA Awards The British Academy Film Awards, more commonly known as the BAFTAs or BAFTA Awards, is an annual film award show hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) to honour the best Cinema of the United Kingdom, British and Worl ...
, and the Waldorf Astoria Orlando in
Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...
.


Philanthropy

Alongside Laura Coyne he launched two projects to help preserve the Great American Songbook: one to teach schoolchildren about the music, composers, and artists in the hope of inspiring them to keep the music alive; and one to record elderly people's recollections of what the music has meant to them.


References


External links

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Further reading

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Curtis, Daniel and Laura Welsh musicians Living people Place of birth missing (living people) Year of birth missing (living people) People from Caerphilly Welsh male composers