Web Bio Header Dan Forshaw

Dan Forshaw is one of the most charismatic musicians on the British Jazz scene. A superb communicator with an infectious passion for music, Dan’s ability to captivate audiences with his performances have led him to perform all over the world with ensembles ranging from big bands, jazz quartets, and even cathedral choirs.  Dan is one of the leading Vloggers of the saxophone world and has close to 700 episodes on his Vlog, with over 2.5 million views. Forshaw is one of the UK’s leading experts on the legendary saxophonist John Coltrane and has had a number of academic articles published on John Coltrane’s music & theology.

Born in Blackpool, Lancashire in 1981, Dan was taught by Ray Wilkes, a legend on the UK Jazz scene and a former member of Cedar Walton’s band in New York. Dan started picking up gigs aged fourteen and by sixteen, Dan was on the road with the ‘Amazing Blues Brothers Soul Revue Tour.’ Throughout his late teens and early 20s, Dan worked hard to establish himself on the North West Jazz Scene, including supporting both Kyle Eastwood and Clare Teal at the Southport International Jazz Festival.  In 2004, following a meeting at the RNCM in Manchester, Dan was invited by Branford Marsalis to study with him in the States. Branford has continued to mentor Dan throughout his career and the two keep in touch regularly. Forshaw has recorded and continues to work live across the UK with vocalists Juliet Kelly and Georgia Mancio, fellow saxophonist Tony Kofi and others such as Steve Fishwick, Graeme Flowers, Paul Higgs, James Beckwith, Chris Jerome, and others both in his own projects and those led by other musicians.

One of life’s natural teachers, Dan teaches saxophone for the University of Cambridge and has private saxophone students from all seven continents, (including Antarctica!). Dan enjoys nothing more than engaging students of all ages with his passion for jazz improvisation. In 2016 Dan won the Gold award for his teaching website ‘Cambridge Saxophone.com‘ and in 2020 he was voted ‘Music Teacher of the Year’. Dan still maintains an active performance schedule with his band performing on the London Jazz Scene (like at Pizza Express Soho click to watch), regular tours, and his ‘Jazz Vespers‘ project, which has seen Dan on Prime Time National TV, (BBC One,).  Dan has also led jazz events at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Ely Cathedral and the at new home for Jazz Vespers in London, Methodist Central Hall, Westminster. Dan has a regular ‘Vlog’ on YouTube and is a keen amateur photographer.