Daniel and Laura Curtis

Daniel Curtis and Laura Curtis (née Coyne) are composers and musicians. As composers, they are best known for their album "Love on 42nd Street", which was released in aid of the BBC Children in Need appeal. The album features the acclaimed single "Why Am I Falling" recorded by Ramin Karimloo. The album also includes songs by West End and Broadway stars including; Lea Salonga, Samantha Barks, Sierra Boggess, John Owen-Jones and Simon Bowman. The album reached number one in the Amazon and iTunes Broadway and Vocal charts in the UK and US. A series of follow up singles were released with Broadway stars Laura Osnes, Cheyenne Jackson, Lisa O'Hare, Adam Pascal, Chris McCarrell and Katie Rose Clarke. All the singles topped the iTunes Vocal charts in the UK and US.

In June 2016 Dan and Laura launched the second Your Voice Competition in aid of Kindred: The Foundation for Adoption. The lead single 'Standing On My Own' was recorded by Glee star Jenna Ushkwoitz.

On October 24, 2016 Daniel and Laura will release their second studio album called 'Overture' featuring 21 songs and 2 overtures. The artists on the album are: Marc Broussard, Earl Carpenter, Melinda Doolittle, Matt Doyle, Hannah Elless, Jason Forbach, Matthew Ford, Ashleigh Gray, Emma Hatton, Samantha Hill, James Monroe Iglehart, Adam Jacobs, Arielle Jacobs, Charlotte Jaconelli, Rachel John, Adam Kaplan, Emmanuel Kojo, Kara Lily-Hayworth, Rebecca Luker, Bryce Pinkham, Courtney Reed, Krysta Rodriguez, Will Swenson and Natalie Weiss.

The couple are represented in New York and LA by Abrams Artists Agency.

On 16 May 2015 Dan and Laura released an unofficial musical concept of the Disney/Pixar movie Ratatouille on YouTube. The concept re-imagines four scenes from the film as a musical. This was followed in 2016 by an unofficial musical concept of the Disney/Pixar movie Brave.

Daniel and Laura held a concert of their work at the Royal Albert Hall on 14 October 2014 which featured seventeen West End/Broadway performers including; Alexander Hanson, Rebecca Caine, Charlotte Jaconelli, Cassie Compton and Lucie Jones. They are currently working on a musical based on the life of the actor Richard Burton.

In 2013 they composed and produced "A Miner's Song", which featured over 300 performers including; Michael Sheen, Jonathan Pryce, Paul Potts, John Owen-Jones, Matthew Rhys, Aled Jones, Ioan Gruffudd, Joe Calzaghe and the voice of the late Richard Burton. The song was launched before 74,500 people at the Wales v England game on 16 March 2013 in aid of the Welsh National Coal Mining Memorial. Daniel and Laura also received National coverage for taking a piano 300 feet underground into Big Pit in Blaenafon, South Wales to perform a concert in tribute to fallen miners. In June it was announced that the couple were awarded the prestigious Queens Award for Voluntary Service as part of Aber Valley Heritage Group for their work surrounding the Welsh National Coal Mining in Senghenydd,South Wales.

In 2014 Daniel and Laura were made patrons of the Glasgow Philharmonia an orchestra made up of over one hundred young musicians. The orchestra is unique as it was founded and continues to be organised by young musicians. In September 2014 Daniel and Laura were made patrons of The Mencap Music Man Project the project provides daily music sessions for anyone with learning disabilities aged 16 years and above. Daniel and Laura premiered a new song written for the Music Man Project at the London Palladium on 21 June 2015.

Daniel and Laura also specialize in performing American show tunes from the first half of the 20th century[1] (also known as Standards, or the Great American Songbook). Prior to their marriage they performed under the name "Curtis and Coyne."[2][3]

They have made numerous television appearances including S4C's Wedi 3,[4] the BBC One Show, Songs of Praise and X Ray. Their radio appearances include BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, BBC Lincolnshire, BBC Radio Northampton, BBC Radio Merseyside, and BBC Radio Wales. They have performed at venues that include London's Trafalgar Square (as part of West End Live 2011),[5] the 2010 Welsh Proms at St David's Hall,[3] the BAFTA Awards, and the Waldorf Astoria Orlando in Florida.[6]

They have launched two projects to help preserve the Great American Songbook: one to teach schoolchildren about the music, composers, and artists in the hope of inspiring them to keep the music alive;[7] and one to record elderly people's recollections of what the music has meant to them.[6][7]

Collaborations
Year Title Main Artist Contribution
2013
A Miner's Song
Daniel and Laura Curtis
"A Miner's Song - Welsh Artist Collective including Michael Sheen, Jonathan Pryce, Paul Potts, John Owen-Jones, Matthew Rhys, Aled Jones, Ioan Gruffudd, Joe Calzaghe and the voice of the late Richard Burton."
2014
Love on 42nd Street
Daniel and Laura Curtis
"Featuring Ramin Karimloo, Lea Salonga, Sierra Boggess, John Owen-Jones, Samantha Barks, Simon Bowman, Katy Treharne and Kasia Howley"
2014
Songs of Daniel and Laura Curtis
Laura Osnes
"When You Smile"
2015
Songs of Daniel and Laura Curtis
Cheyenne Jackson
"Find the Best of Me"
2015
Songs of Daniel and Laura Curtis
Lisa O'Hare
"All Your Dreams"
2015
Songs of Daniel and Laura Curtis
Adam Pascal
"Everyone Can Help Someone"
2015
Songs of Daniel and Laura Curtis
Chris McCarrell and Katie Rose Clarke
"Now You're Here"
2016
Songs of Daniel and Laura Curtis
Jenna Ushkowitz
"Standing On My Own"
2016
Overture
The Music Of Daniel and Laura Curtis
"Marc Broussard, Earl Carpenter, Melinda Doolittle, Matt Doyle, Hannah Elless, Jason Forbach, Matthew Ford, Ashleigh Gray, Emma Hatton, Samantha Hill, James Monroe Iglehart, Adam Jacobs, Arielle Jacobs, Charlotte Jaconelli, Rachel John, Adam Kaplan, Emmanuel Kojo, Kara Lily-Hayworth, Rebecca Luker, Bryce Pinkham, Courtney Reed, Krysta Rodriguez, Will Swenson, Natalie Weiss "

References

  1. ↑ Price, Karen (8 January 2011). "Golden era of Hollywood musicals still living on". Western Mail. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  2. ↑ "Former Lincoln chorister to sign Hollywood classics at West End Live festival". Lincolnshire Echo. 10 June 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Brochure" (PDF). St David's Hall. June–July 2010. p. 16. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  4. ↑ "Wedi 3 Programme Information". ontvnow.co.uk. 13 January 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  5. ↑ "Singing duos festival dates". campaignseries.co.uk. 18 June 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  6. 1 2 Curtis, Daniel and Laura (28 January 2012). "The Great American Songbook". americymru.blogspot.co.uk (Interview). Interview with Ceri Shaw. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  7. 1 2 Curtis, Daniel and Laura (1 March 2012). "Great American Songbook". cymruculture.co.uk (Interview). Retrieved 6 April 2012.

External links

Further reading

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