ACCLAIMED VOCALIST AND SONGWRITER HONORS A DEAR FRIEND
AND MENTOR WITH THE SWINGING BLUES OF ‘SHOWMAN DAN’
WATCH THE HEARTWARMING VIDEO HERE
FIRST ALBUM IN SIX YEARS
LET’S WALK, OUT JUNE 28TH ON THIRTY TIGERS
Plays LFJ Summer Series at Barbican Centre in London on July 21st
Photo credit: Ebru Yildiz
Renowned singer/songwriter Madeleine Peyroux has released a touching video for her new track ‘Showman Dan,’ which appears on her forthcoming album Let’s Walk (out June 28th on Thirty Tigers).
Peyroux wrote the song in honor of her longtime friend and mentor Daniel William Fitzgerald, aka Showman Dan, who passed away in 2017. The video features performance footage, joyful home movies and personal photos honoring the charismatic and giving entertainer. The moving tribute shows Showman Dan through years performing all over and collaborating with up-and-coming musicians, including a young, yet-to-be-discovered Peyroux. Watch ‘Showman Dan’ HERE.
From 1975 until his death, Dan toured across the US and Europe as the leader of the Lost Wandering Blues and Jazz Band. They performed just about everywhere and anywhere, including the streets, public squares, the underground, small theatres, jazz clubs and even the private homes of royalty. Dan had a profound impact on Peyroux as an artist and as a human being, which cannot be overstated.
“There’s so much living to discover in the telling of a life and so many ways to tell a life story, but here are just a few simple facts about Danny,” says Peyroux. “He was not ‘famous,’ though he has thousands of friends all over the world who still mourn him. And he was not a ‘musician,’ though he taught hundreds of people how to play music. He was not much of a father to his only son, though he is known as the godfather of buskers to many, including me. We met in Paris, France in 1989. He lived on a barge outside of the city, full of hats and coats, art pieces made from found objects, a pump organ, guitars, espresso pots, a dentist chair, lamps made from the bottom halves of mannequins, a portrait of Big Maybelle, photos of friends, and of course people: everyone was welcome to stay on the boat if they needed to. I was homeless and penniless and difficult and a child and arrogant and a budding alcoholic. He took me in. He gave me a job and a home and a second family. He sang and taught the music of Bessie Smith, Jimmy Reed, Fats Waller, Billie Holiday, and so many others.” She concludes, “Danny was my friend, my teacher, and oftentimes, my father. He would challenge the rebel in me with, ‘Who are you supposed to be?’ If he were to ask me now, I’d say, “I’m yours.””
Let’s Walk is Peyroux’s ninth album, and her first in six years. She co-wrote the entire album with longtime collaborator Jon Herington and the songs represent her most diverse, intimate and courageous work to date. Peyroux shares thoughtful and revealing views on personal and societal concerns, while seamlessly blending jazz, folk, gospel blues, Americana, chamber pop, Latin rhythms and a touch of light humor into the mix. The songs are interwoven around contemplative, observational and confessional narratives, making it the deepest and most substantive album in her catalog.
Peyroux offers hope through understanding and community by using one of our most unifying means, music.
Madeleine will also return to the UK for a very special show at London’s Barbican Centre on Sunday July 21st as part of the LFJ Summer Series. Tickets available HERE.
Visit madeleinepeyroux.com for news and tour updates
