Dan Skakun...

For the past several years, Dan Skakun has been back living in his hometown of Edmonton. Dan returned in 1996 from a two year stay in New York where he obtained a graduate degree from the Aaron Copland School of Music.

Dan made the most of his time in New York studying with Jimmy Heath, Sir Roland Hanna, Joe Morella and Kenny Washington, checking out the masters in the jazz clubs and playing as much as possible.

Before New York, Dan lived in Montreal for seven years. As well as graduating from McGill's jazz program, Dan got plenty of valuable playing experience working with the likes of Andre White, Fred Henke,Greg Clayton, Dianne DeKerckhove, Tilden Webb, Mike Rud and Mike Gauthier.

Since returning to Edmonton, Dan has had the pleasure of playing with the likes of P. J. Perry, Bobby Cairns, Charlie Austin, Mike Rud, Jim Head, Kennedy Jensen, Slide Hampton, Hugh Fraser, Tommy Banks, Gary Guthman, Michael Rabinowitz, Kirk MacDonald, Jay Thomas, Jim Gallaway, the McDudes, The New Orleans Connection, and of course, the Mobian Beast itself. Dan also teaches drum lessons privately and "Music 100" for Grant MacEwan College.

Dan has a whole bunch of drumming influences including Max Roach, Kenny Clarke, Tony Williams and "any Drummer named Jones" (Elvin, Philly-Joe, Papa Jo). Outside of the jazz circles, you'd have to add Copeland Bill Bruford. On a slightly different note, Dan feels that dark chocolate, science fiction/fantasy novels and the Edmonton Oilers have been important influences in his life.