Dan Neale is one of the most sought-after and versatile guitarists in the Midwest music scene.
Based in the Twin Cities, Dan has established himself as a highly respected musician both on stage and in the studio. Neale’s impressive career spans multiple genres, including blues, country, pop, jazz, and rock.
Dan has shared the stage with legendary blues artist Bo Diddley and has also performed alongside notable musicians such as Chuck Leavell (keyboardist for The Rolling Stones), Hutch Hutchinson (bassist for Bonnie Raitt), and Kenny Arnoff (drummer for John Mellencamp) for the 50th Anniversary Buddy Holly Tribute.
Between 2005 and 2012, Dan was a regular contributor on Garrison Keillor’s renowned radio show “A Prairie Home Companion”. In his role with the All Star Shoe Band, he accompanied renowned artists including Emmylou Harris, Leo Kottke, Shawn Colvin and Dr. John. In addition to his work with the Shoe Band, Neale also performed with the Neale Diamond Trio along with Phil Heywood and Pat Donahue.
As a core member of the Galactic Cowboy Orchestra since 2009, Neale brings his advanced playing style and deep jazz influences to the band’s unique blend of Art Rock and Jazz Fusion.
His technical skill and creative compositions have been instrumental in shaping the band’s sound, drawing comparisons to progressive rock giants like King Crimson and Mahavishnu Orchestra.
Beyond his work with Galactic Cowboy Orchestra, Neale has been a valuable addition to many noteworthy projects. In 1996, he joined forces with folk musician Dennis Warner, seamlessly filling the shoes left by Paul Diethelm after his departure to the Jonny Lang Band. Neale’s adaptability and musical intuition made him the perfect fit for Warner’s acoustic-oriented sound.
As as studio player and sideman, Neale has worked with multiple bands and artists including Bobby Vee and Martin Zellar (Gear Daddies). With their shared background in country rock, Neale’s versatility in fingerpicking and flatpicking contributed to the depth of the material.
In 2005, he teamed up with singer/songwriter Rex Haberman to release a 13 song self-titled CD on Reissner Records.
Both his live and studio work have established Neale as a versatile and in-demand guitarist and studio player in the vibrant Twin Cities music scene.