Danny Malando
As a descendent of the talented Malando family, Danny was surrounded by music when he was only a baby. When he was six, he began taking piano lessons and when he was eight he was already playing the drums. Later he went on to learn base guitar.
School Band
Like most teenagers, Danny fell in love with pop music in his teens. With a couple of friends he formed a school band that performed at high school parties. His grandfather allowed him to use the Malando rehearsal room in the cellar of his house. Danny and his friends gratefully used the rehearsal room until one day they created such a mess that grandfather Arie threw them out.
Double bass
When he was thirteen, Danny discovered the double bass. He was inspired by Rob Langereis, the passionate bassist of the Metropool Orkest, who was well known to have a lot of fun while playing. The combination of making music and having fun appealed very much to Danny.
Conservatory
After high school, Danny started studying at the conservatory in Hilversum. During his education he performed with, among others, the Radio Filharmonisch Orkest and the Residentie Orkest. In 1987 he made his debut in the Malando Tango Orchestra.
Hungarian Influences
After his graduation, Danny left for Hungary. Ernö Olah, who still is Malando Orchestra’s concertmaster, suggested that Danny submerge himself in the Hungarian musical tradition. In Budapest, he studied with Professor Pege Aladar at the renowned Liszt Academy. However, Danny received his real initiation in Hungarian music from his host family, the Kovacs. The passion with which each family member played music, left a deep impression in Danny.
Orchestra Leader
After his stay in Budapest, Danny went to Thailand where he played Double Bass in the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. In 1999, at the occasion of the Malando Orchestra’s sixtieth anniversary, Danny was officially inaugurated as orchestra leader. With Danny as its leader, the Malando Tango Orchestra has entered a new chapter in its long history.
“Families that pass on their trade from father to son for generations deliver incontestable quality. This is especially the case in musical families. Danny was brought up in that special atmosphere; from his earliest days he lived and breathed music. Having inherited his father’s ease and his grandfather’s thoroughness, he has all the qualifications for the job.” Ernö Olah, concertmaster of the Malando Tango Orchestra. Erno performed with both Danny’s grandfather and father.