West Allegheny to Host Gold Card Club Holiday Breakfast

STORY BY DOUG HUGHEY
PHOTO BY SARAH HUGHEY
In jazz historian Nathan Davis’ book, “Writings in Jazz,” Davis
recounts witnessing a talented, young jazz saxophonist who closely
resembled Charlie Parker performing in a gospel service. Asked
afterwards how the musician felt about playing gospel versus jazz,
the musician replied that for him, it wasn’t any different; all that
changes are the lyrics.
That’s how Dan Hanczar’s new album, “Be Thankful,” comes off,
as a varied and eclectic collection of music assembled over a
lifetime that, if the lyrics were changed, could easily stand on their
own. Under the overarching religious theme, however, the songs
have been pulled together into a diverse collection of influences
ranging from Clash-like reggae to Johnny Cash. While Dan said the
music was inspired by his family and faith, the album expresses just
as much passion for his wide swathe of musical tastes. He’s already
working on another CD, loosely themed around the ocean and
childhood summers, and beginning to wonder why, at 60 years old,
with arthritis kicking in, he didn’t start sooner.
“Be Thankful,” though, said Dan, is the one album that, if he
wasn’t ever going to get another out there, would be it. Some of the
tracks he worked on just over the last couple years. Others he’s
been writing for decades, and were inspired by everything from
watching his kids run around
the house to the death of a
close family friend.
The well-executed
collection comes from a
lifelong musician who got
the chance to record
thanks to sophisticated
software that can turn a
home computer into a
decent recording studio.
That, coupled with the
time he now has on his
hands after retiring from
a 37-year career teaching
mostly sixth grade geography at West
Allegheny, both made the album possible.
That’s not to say, however, that this particular guitarist ever
really slowed down. For a long time, Dan played in a rhythm
blues band with fellow West Allegheny teacher Cliff Howell.
Anyone who regularly attended the Findlay, McDonald, and
Clinton fairs about ten years back might remember their covers
ranging from Beatles to Mustang Sally. More recently, Dan’s
been playing in the Trinity Jazz Orchestra. Now going on its
tenth year, the band is busiest around the holidays, when it
plays about a show per week. They have one coming up on
Monday, December 17, at The Rock in Oakdale, with Houston,
Pennsylvania native Adam Brock. Last year, Adam was among
the top 20 finalists on American Idol. This will be Adam’s third
year singing with the band, and Dan recently played during a
recording session for Adam’s own album.
A number of the members from those bands, including Cliff,
pitched in to help Dan on his album. Dan also recruited Oakdale
residents Mark and Barb Turner, along with vocalist Valerie
Wilson, and some fellow church members. Dan’s son, Nils, a
Syracuse art school graduate and cartoonist, came up with the
album artwork: a stained glass rendition of a guitar player.
“It really was a family affair,” said Dan, whose sister pitched in
with some vocals, and whose brother-in-law, Henry Yoder,
supplied microphones, computer training, and the final mastering.
One of the biggest hurdles to getting the album done in about
eight months, he said, was just getting everyone together.
At Dan’s house just outside of Oakdale, relatives, children,
and grandchildren all seem to come and go regularly, though at
no set time. He and his wife, Kate, moved there seven years ago
to build a house on property once farmed by Dan’s aunt and
uncle. There, off a country road, Dan came up with the title for
his album, which is now available on iTunes, CD Baby, and
Amazon.
“I just feel so blessed by what I have,” he said, “and I just
wanted to express my gratitude for it.”