Dan Slider's life story commenced on the southernmost extremity of the Windy City, Chicago, where his father, a music educator of considerable renown, expertly guided bands at both junior high and high school levels. It was amidst this fertile musical environment that Dan's own musical odyssey began, as he picked up the trumpet in high school and went on to perform with the esteemed Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his orchestral pursuits, Dan also found himself drawn to the world of jazz, regularly taking to the stage with his own band, honing his skills and developing his unique sound. Upon graduating from high school, Dan embarked upon a career as a professional musician, touring with a succession of bands and further refining his craft. Eventually, he decided to take his talents to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he immersed himself in the study of trumpet and big band arranging, ultimately graduating with a comprehensive understanding of the art of music.
Dan's academic tenure at Berklee College of Music was marked by his exceptional talent as a jazz trumpet player, as he had the privilege of performing alongside the esteemed Phil Wilson Dues Band.
Following his graduation, Dan relocated to the west coast, where he was warmly encouraged by his close friend and bassist, Dann Glenn, to create a jazz-fusion album titled "A Whispered Warning" in 1984.
This album garnered substantial airplay on jazz radio stations and, owing to its immense popularity, was repeatedly licensed to television shows, including the 1984 Winter Olympics, further solidifying its widespread appeal.
Dan's fascination with film scoring and orchestration led him to embark on a private tutelage with the illustrious Dr. Albert Harris, a celebrated composer and orchestrator who had garnered widespread acclaim, including the prestigious Pulitzer Prize, for his remarkable body of work. Dr. Harris' impressive resume boasted collaborations with the legendary Barbara Streisand, as well as his tenure as music director for several prominent Quinn Martin television series.
Under Dr. Harris' guidance, Dan devoted himself to a two-year intensive study, simultaneously pursuing his studies at UCLA under the mentorship of Don Ray, a renowned expert in his field. Additionally, Dan honed his arranging skills with the esteemed Billy Byers, a veteran musician who had had the privilege of working alongside the iconic Frank Sinatra.
Dan's professional journey began with his academic accomplishments, which led him to embark on a career as a music supervisor at The Studio Music Department. As a music supervisor, he played a crucial role in overseeing the scoring process for numerous movie-of-the-week features, gradually transitioning to compose source music for various projects. His impressive portfolio includes notable works such as "Fatal Vision" for NBC Productions, where he contributed to the scoring process, and the TV series "Fast Copy" for NBC, for which he composed the score. Additionally, Dan's creative skills were showcased through his composition of the theme song for the syndicated version of "Your Show of Shows" and the theme song for the "Crystal Light National Aerobic Championships", which has remained a staple for many international events to this day. Throughout his illustrious career, Dan has amassed an impressive track record, having scored over 1000 hours of prime-time network television programming.
