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" which was co-written and 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. Three follow up singles were released the first with Laura Osnes called 'When You Smile' secondly 'Find the Best of Me' featuring Cheyenne Jackson and lastly with Lisa O'Hare called 'All Your Dreams. The three singles topped the iTunes Vocal charts in the UK and US.

It has been announced that two charity singles are to be released with Adam Pascal in aid of UNICEF and a duet with Chris McCarrell and Katie Rose Clarke in aid of Broadway Cares. The couple have signed with a new agent New York and LA based Abrams Artists Agency and management company SLS Artists Management.

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.

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]

The two have recently joined forces with Dischromatics to embark on a new project; a record label designed specifically for classical crossover artists. The label, Dischro Media, will use Shabbey Road Studios to do all of its recording and will launch in March 2014.

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"

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 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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