Daniel Asbury Mixon was born in Harlem, New York. Danny began his artistic expression as a tap dancer. He was a student of the Ruth Williams Dance Studio and even at the tender age of ten was known as "the show stopper".
Danny attended the High School of Performing Arts with Dance as his major. During an afternoon outing at the Apollo Theatre with his grandfather, Danny was inspired by the jazz musicians he heard. It was then that he decided he wanted to play the piano. At the age of fifteen Danny began piano lessons with Mr. Cecil. However, his most memorable teacher was Roland Hanna. Danny also attended the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music.
At 17 years of age, while employed at a fabric company, Danny was invited to play with Sam Brown's band backing Patti Labelle & the Blue Bells in Atlantic City at Reggie's Cocktail Lounge. He never went back to the fabric business and Danny has never looked back.
By age 19 Danny found himself in Europe with the Muse Quartet under the auspice of Chris White. Then Danny worked with Art Blakely, next Kenny Durham, then Cecil Payne. His first professional organ gig was with Carlos Garnet at the Baby Grand in Brooklyn.
Soon thereafter, Danny accompanied Big Maybelle at the Blue Coronet. The singer, Danny is most known for accompanying, is Betty Carter. Danny then worked extensively with Charles Mingus. He ran the U.S. circuit with Yusef Lateef. Danny enjoyed a few years with the Lionel Hampton Big Band.
Since Danny was in his 20's he has worked continuously with Frank Foster as a pianist for the Big Band; Frank Foster's Loud Minority, and his quartet - the Non-Electric Company. Danny appears on many recordings, his most recent being with Hank Crawford on the compact discs. "Tight" and "After Dark".
Danny's most recent CD is "On My Way". He is currently in the studio working on a few projects; his next CD, as well as producing others.
Danny continues to share his talent with others by teaching. He teaches piano annually for the Arts Education Enrichment Program implemented by Jazzmobile, Inc., that outreaches to all ages throughout New York City. Danny also teaches piano privately. He was mentioned on Nancy Grace's 'Headline News' on CNN, April 2, 2008 for his successful work in having taught young Sam Baum, an autistic piano student. Sam has come to love music and playing the piano.
You can Danny Mixon regularly at the famous Lenox Lounge in Harlem New York.