DansBand

BIOGRAPHIES

Dan Ionescu has had an outstanding musical career as guitarist, composer and band leader, spanning over three decades
in both Europe and Canada. He debuted at a young age as a banjo player in a traditional
Dixieland band. In 1982 he won the national competition of Sibiu Jazz Festival, which
consecrated him on the Romanian jazz scene. He was acclaimed by the jazz critics as the
best Romanian jazz guitarist for 12 consecutive years. During that period, he recorded
frequently at the national radio and television studios and toured Yugoslavia, Hungary,
Germany and France with his group and other European musicians. Since arriving in
Toronto in 1996, Dan has been a constant presence on the Toronto jazz scene, playing clubs, festivals, and special events.
He collaborated on seven albums with musicians from Toronto, Montral, and Japan, where he also toured in 2007. As of
2008, Dan turned to eight-string guitar, an instrument that he built himself.
May 2009 marks the release of the fusion album "Dan Ionescu Electric Version", recorded in '94, and making its official
release almost 14 years later. The album features Dan Ionescu's electric band, which saw great success in the early '90s on
the European music scene (playing festivals alongside Steve Coleman Five Elements, John McLaughin Trio, Charles Lloyd,
Bob Berg Quartet, and others).
In July 2014 he releases a new, mostly acoustic, album "Ginga", with his group DansBand. Ginga is a blend of world
influences mainly Brazilian and Venezuelan, infused with skillful jazz improvisations and well crafted arrangements.

Tiago Ciccone is a Brazilian percussionist, singer and guitarist born in Campinas, Sao Paolo. He spent his teenage years in
Salvador - the birth place of some of the most influential traditional Afro-Brazilian styles - where he
learned several traditional percussion instruments and became fascinated with the rich cultural
traditions of his homeland. During his University years (a Psychology graduate) he joined the samba
group Zabal, with which he performed in countless local venues, local TV stations and opening
shows for famous national artists. Coopted in this project, Tiago certainly brings the authentic
Brazilian/Latin American feel and spirit to the medley, as well as his first hand expertise in
understanding the diverse cultural traditions of South America.

Gil Ionescu grew up in North York listening to R&B, alternative music, as well as more jazz than most of his peers. He start
playing guitar and occasionally electric bass at age 15. Later, his talent and love for
music urged him to follow in his fathers footsteps and pursue a career in music. As a
recent graduate of the York University music undergraduate program, Gil has had the
opportunity to study with some of Canadas finest musicians, such as Mike Murley, Kelly
Jefferson, Lorne Lofsky, and Mark Eisenman. Whether playing guitar, Puerto-Rican
cuatro, double-six alto guitar, kalimba or hand percussion, Gils youth brings forth a
passion for fusion, R&B, funk, and modern electronic music.

Codin Debo Deboveanu began playing music in his teens as a drummer. After graduating in Mechanical Engineering in
Romania, he began performing with several rock and blues groups in Europe. In the late 90s, one
of his compositions hit the number two spot on the Romanian Television charts. Soon afterwards
he moved to Toronto, where he fell in love with the electric bass. Few years later he joined a local
world music group, performing in the GTA area. At home with the multi-meter musical tradition of
the Balkan peninsula, Codin brings a unique percussionists approach to stringed instruments, as
well as his drumming skills when the arrangements require a more complex rhythm section.