MUSICIAN | Danny Frankel

Los Angeles Drummer/Percussionist Danny Frankel began playing New York in its early Punk-Rock days at iconic venues like CBGBs. There, Brian Eno discovered his band, which resulted in a Warner Brothers deal.

During his New York years, Frankel became involved in a benefit called “Sweet Relief Musician’s Fund that aired on MTV's 120 Minutes, where he performed with Michael Penn, Victoria Willams and others and it was there that Lou Reed discovered him. Becoming Lou’s drummer for several years after, Danny appeared on all the top shows including the Tonight Show, Letterman, MTV and Lou’s “Live on Letterman” album.

Frankel’s biggest influence, also his teacher for a moment was Avante Garde master Paul Motian. As Danny says, “…he taught me to play with abandon…going for the moment…think in colors…” Gaining his non-conformism approach from Paul and his own natural direction, he began collecting a list of amazing, eclectic credits. Along with Lou Reed, Danny Frankel has performed and/or recorded with John Cale, Wilco’s Nels Cline, Rikki Lee Jones, k.d. lang, Laurie Anderson, Fiona Apple, Jewel, Everlast, Marianne Faithful and Beck, to name just a few. Frankel also has a strong focus and affection for playing bongos and has studied with Mike Pacheco (1950's Hollywood fame) Kevin Ricard, Frank Colon, Angel Figuerora and others.

Appears on:

BIG002 | Leeann Skoda | Call Me Back Home - drums and percussion

BIG004 | Anthony Shadduck | Quartet & Double Quartet - drums (Double Quartet)

BIG007 | Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon | Namesake - drums and percussion (7,8,10)

LIL005 | Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon | Live at BIG EGO - drums, percussion

LIL007 | Ann Thaiss | Hear Me - percussion

BIG015 | Maria Elena Silva | Eros - percussion

LIL008 | Chris Schlarb and Alex Sadnik | Viva Durant and the Madness of Madame Bouchard - drums and percussion

LIL011 | Ellen Warkentine | Now At Last - drums and percussion

BIG017 | Guma | A List of Sightings - percussion (3,6,7)

BIG018 | Izzy and the Fins | Mirrorball - percussion (1,7)

BIG019 | Junatime | Remember the Magic - percussion (2,4)

LIL012 / LIL013 | Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon | Desert / Canyon - percussion

BIG026 | Alicia Walter | Right Noise - percussion

Learn more about Danny Frankel.