Bio
Daniel Janke is a Canadian composer, jazz pianist, and media artist. He was born in Edmonton, Alberta, and grew up in Ontario, Canada. Daniel currently divides his time between his studio in Yukon, Canada, and in Berlin, Germany.
Daniel did his early piano studies with the Royal Conservatory of music. He completed a masters degree in ethnomusicology at York University, Toronto. He has studied kora with Jali Nyama Suso, and with Yan Kuba Saho, in Gambia, West Africa.
Daniel’s most recent recording release is titled Body In Motion on the Centrediscs label. He also performs and records with his group Winter Trio, and is artistic director of the community-based Problematic Orchestra. Daniel works regularly with violinist Mark Fewer, and with clarinetist François Houle. Listen to an interview on the release of his album Cinco Puntos Cardinales.
Film scores by Daniel Janke include: Sovereign Soil [NFB, dir. David Curtis, 2019]; Mountain of Sgaana [NFB, dir. Chris Auchter. 2017]; Subconscious Password [NFB, dir. Chris Landreth – short-listed for a 2014 Oscar Award]; and Touch and The Susan Smith Tapes [dir. Jeremy Podeswa, 2001]. For additional film score work watch his film demo reel. To find scores visit the Canadian Music Centre.
Daniel’s work as a composer has gradually drawn him in to different roles as a writer and filmmaker. His most recent film is Homecoming Song. His multi-media stage production The Grubstake Remix toured Canada, and recently presented at the Babylon Theatre in Berlin, Germany. Daniels short film How People Got Fire [NFB, 2009] received numerous awards, and has screened internationally.
Daniel is currently working on a new collection of art songs with soprano Rachel Fenlon. He is also working on the new feature film script Woman With A Fish, with Massey Productions.
