Short bio (use for publicity, fliers, etc.)
Keys, Strings, Winds & Skins: A true multi-instrumentalist virtuoso with an outstanding voice to match. Dayan Kai is a Singer/Songwriter, Arranger and Producer with a lifelong commitment to music. Equally versed in Americana, Jazz, World and Rock traditions, Kai’s compositions reflect his vast experience in the industry as both a soloist and versatile accompanist.
Complete bio (Click for downloadable PDF)
Born without sight but not without soul. Dayan Kai is a classically trained multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter, vocalist, and producer with a lifelong dedication to music. Equally versed in jazz, world, Americana, and rock traditions. Devoted husband and father of two.
Formally trained since the age of 2, Dayan has studied under world music composer Lou Harrison, Latin percussionist Michael Strunk, jazz trumpeter/arranger Ray Brown and mandolin master David Grisman. Kai is also a versatile accompanist and works with numerous notable artists from around the world in many genres.
Dayan has self-produced and released five solo albums, "Treat A Stranger Right," "Livin' Like A Rat Again," "The First Twelve Years," "All Kai," "Songs of Sunday", as well as two albums with his former band Water, "Scrape the Sun" and "Look out the Window". In 2010, he recorded the duo album “Make It Rain” with frequent collaborator Keith Greeninger. Dayan also contributed his talents on a multitude of albums in the folk, jazz & world genres.
He is currently working on a new CD with long-time friends/collaborators Steve Uccello and Jimmy Norris and Grammy-nominated producer Cookie Marenco. Dayan has also produced albums for Steven Graves, Mike McKinley, Tess Dunn, Quackgrass, and Michael Gaither.
Dayan has played at many notable festivals, including the Folklife Festival and Bummershoot Festival (Seattle, WA), Sister's Folk Festival (Sisters OR), American River Music Festival (Lotus, CA), Strawberry Music Festival (Groveland, CA), Kate Wolf Memorial Festival (Laytonville, CA), High Sierra Festival (Quincy, CA), Art on the Green (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho), Sandpoint Music Festival (Sandpoint, ID), and Summerfest (Milwaukee, WI) and many, many more.
A partial list of instruments Dayan plays includes keyboards (piano, organ, accordion), guitars (Spanish classical, six- and 12-string acoustic, electric, and resophonic), other strings (charango, ukulele, bass, 4- and 5-string banjo, mandolin, and fiddle), the single-reed woodwind family and flutes from around the world, trumpet and trombone, conchas, and percussion (trap kit and hand drums [cajon, pandero, doumbec, tabla, and congas]).
To talk with Dayan about show bookings or to discuss producing or session work, call 831-345-3312 or send an email to dayan@dayankai.com