Daniel Janke is a Canadian composer, jazz pianist, and media artist. He was born in Edmonton, Alberta, and grew up in Ontario, Canada. Early piano studies were with the Royal Conservatory of music. Daniel completed a masters degree in ethnomusicology at York University, Toronto. He 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 [Rebel Films, 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 into 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 the new opera Elixir of Isis, in cooperation with La Roche D’Hys Académie des arts, France. He is also working on the new feature film script Woman With A Fish. For more information Contact us.