TerranceMcDaniel has been a fixture on the Austin music scene as a drummer, bandleader, and educator for over a decade. A jazzer at his core, McDaniel’s voice on the drums is shaded by the scenes his musical path has taken him through: Greasy Soul in Memphis, energetic Fusion, and Smooth Jazz in Dallas, and rootsy Blues and Country in Austin. He has enjoyed regular sideman duties with trombonist Andre Hayward (Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Mingus Big Band, SFJazz Collective) and pianist James Polk (former musical director for Ray Charles) to name a couple. He is also the co-founder and co-leader of The Blacklist, a collective of like-minded Austin musicians blending the aforementioned musical flavors.
In addition to performing, Terrance has always been a driven organizer and educator, looking to advance and expand the jazz cause wherever he is. Early in his career, he co-founded the Amarillo Jazz Society and has gone on to work with the Women In Jazz Association and the Austin Jazz Workshop. He is also Artistic Director, Director of Outreach, and Executive Director of the Drums and Percussion Department at 26-Music School in Austin.
McDaniel holds a Bachelor of Arts, Music Performance Degree, from Arkansas State University and teaches drumset, marimba, Rock Camp and percussion. McDaniel also teaches music fundamentals and frequently uses the “Audition Hacker” method to prepare students for regional and state competition and live performance.