Daniel and Laura Curtis

Daniel Curtis and Laura Curtis (née Coyne) are Welsh 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.

Career

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 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.

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 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 were made ambassadors for the BulliesOut charity in 2017.

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.

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 24 October 2016 Daniel and Laura released 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.

November 2018 marks the release of a new song by Daniel and Laura called 'The Hero - A West End Tribute' in aid of the charity Help For Heroes. The song features 40 leading West End performers alongside an orchestra and brass band.

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

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 "

Media appearances

They have made numerous television appearances including S4C's Wedi 3,[4] the BBC One Show, Songs of Praise and X Ray. Their radio broadcasts 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]

Philanthropy

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]

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). Interviewed by 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.

Further reading

  • "Music @ The Park" (Press release). Aberdare Online. 7 March 2012. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  • "Couple sing film classics in West End". The Retford Times. 16 June 2011. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  • Curtis, Daniel and Laura (25 February 2012). "Martin Spellacey's 7". BCFM (Interview). Interviewed by Martin Spellacey. Archived from the original (MP3) on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  • Curtis, Daniel and Laura (8 February 2012). "The Arts Show: Welsh Unsigned Stand-up Awards and the Lord Mayor's Charity Gala Concert" (SWF). WalesOnline (Interview). Interviewed by Dave Owens. Retrieved 6 April 2012. Their involvement in the Lord Mayor's Charity Gala Concert in Cardiff
  • "Paul Potts and Aled Jones record mining charity single". WalesOnline. 3 March 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  • "National Coal Mining Memorial". 25 February 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  • "123-Reg hosted websites go offline after 'China attack'". BBC News Technology. 23 May 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  • Michelle Smith (14 August 2011). "Appearing Live: Daniel & Laura Curtis – The Great American Songbook". Bonnet Creek Blog. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  • "Blaenavon's Big Pit hosts concert 300 feet underground". South Wales Argus. 13 September 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  • "West End Live 2011-2012". West End Live. 23 June 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  • Miners' song gets Six Nations showdown debut. BBC News South East Wales. 15 March 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  • Gleision disaster remembered at Big Pit underground concert. BBC News. 13 September 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  • Concert 300ft underground. ITV Wales. 13 September 2012. Archived from the original on 16 September 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  • "Concert at Big Pit in Blaenavon to honour fallen miners". ITV Wales. 13 September 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  • Underground concert remembers south Wales coal miners. ITV Wales. 13 September 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  • "Lea Salonga and Sierra Boggess Record New Tracks for Charity". Broadway World. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  • "Samantha Barks defies storms shows off bare legs". Daily Mail. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  • "Samantha Barks Records for BBC Children in Need Charity Album". Broadway World. 10 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  • "Love on 42nd Street, Featuring Lea Salonga, Ramin Karimloo and more to be released3/17". Broadway World. 16 March 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  • "Love on 42nd Street" CD, With Lea Salonga, Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess and More, Released March 17". Plabybill. 17 March 2014. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014.
  • "Love on 42nd Street" Benefit Album Will Feature Lea Salonga, Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess and More; Tracks Announced". Plabybill. 10 March 2014. Archived from the original on 12 March 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  • "Released today: Love on 42nd Street featuring Lea Salonga, Ramin Karimloo, Samantha Barks". London Theatre 1. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  • "Love on 42nd Street". BBC. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  • "Salonga, Sierra, Ramin & Samantha Barks to Make Sweet Music Together". Broadway.com. 11 March 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  • "Laura Osnes to Release New Single 'When You Smile', 8/10". Broadway.com. 26 June 2014. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  • "Laura Osnes to Release New Single by Daniel and Laura Curtis". Londontheatre1.com. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  • "Cinderella Star Laura Osnes Will Release New Single in August". www.playbill.com. 27 June 2014. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  • "Young Ross Leading The Way". www.heraldscotland.com. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  • "Young Maestro". www.eveningtimes.co.uk. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  • "Final Guests Announced for Daniel and Laura Curtis Royal Albert Hall Concert". Broadway World. 13 October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  • "Final Guests Announced for Daniel and Laura Curtis Royal Albert Hall Concert". Broadway World. 13 October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  • "Cheyenne Jackson to release charity single-find-the-best-of-me". Playbill. 12 January 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  • "STAGE-TUBE-Daniel-and-Laura-Curtis-Release-RATATOUILLE-Concept-Recording". Broadway World. 16 May 2015.
  • "Exclusive: Dan and Laura Curtis Announce Two Charity Singles With Broadway Performers". Broadway World. 28 September 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  • "Original Rent Star to Record New Song to Benefit UNICEF Single". /Playbill. 28 September 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015. * "History group behind Senghenydd mining memorial honoured with Queen's Award for Voluntary Service". /Caerphilly Observer. 16 June 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  • "Exclusive: Arielle Jacobs, Rebecca Luker, Jason Forbach and More featured on Overture album". Broadway World. 12 July 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  • "Adam Jacobs, Will Swenson, Krysta Rodriquez to be featured on Daniel and Laura Curtis Overture album". Broadway World. 22 April 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  • "Exclusive: Stage Star Lisa O'Hare Welcomes Baby Girl, Releases 'All Your Dreams' Single". Broadway World. 16 September 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  • "Exclusive: Glee and Spring Awakening Star Launches Single for Your Voice Competition". Playbill. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  • "Video: Glee's Jenna Ushkwoitz releases single to Launch 2016 Your Voice Competition". Broadway World. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  • "BWW Exclusive Ashleigh Gray performs Brave on Daniel and Laura Curtis Overture Album". Broadway World. 1 October 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  • "First Names Announced For Help". Broadway World. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
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