I was lucky enough to meet Dan Voll in July 2011, when I was looking for a guitar teacher to help me improve my playing. Little did I know what an accomplished player he happened to be! Dan Voll was born in Baraboo, Wisconsin and was inspired to take up music after discovering Paul McCartney and The Beatles. Dan picked up a guitar and tirelessly practiced, eventually following his passion to Los Angeles, where he studied under legendary guitarist and educator, Ted Greene,  who encouraged Dan to "be the best player in your own own “neck of the woods”, being that LA was flooded with great guitarists. Dan took Ted's advice, and returned to the midwest, where he played in many bands outside of Chicago.  After several visits to the area, Dan relocated to Fernandina Beach in 2010, and quickly became the guitarist to see in Northeast Florida. The first time I ever heard Dan play guitar, I was blown away by his talent and versatility. Except for being incredibly intimidated to play anything in front of him at our lessons, I was psyched to have him as a teacher! After finding out that I had sang and played bass in many bands over the years, Dan asked me to sit in on bass at one of his upcoming gigs. Within a few months, I was playing bass “in the band” and that was the end of guitar lessons! As a guitarist, Dan was versatile and melodic, expertly dipping in and out of many styles and genres such as jazz, rock, country, reggae and Latin styles. When he soloed, he added his own personal touch to whatever solo he was covering and made it better. He wrote and recorded his own music, taught lessons, transcribed solos for others and encouraged everyone he met. I feel so honored to have known Dan and to have had the privilege to play music with him, but more than that, I treasured his friendship. Playing gigs alongside Dan was like having the best seat at my own private concert; every show a musical adventure. I learned so much about the performance aspect of playing guitar as well as entertaining a crowd from Dan. He strove to make connections with everyone by making them feel acknowledged and special. As a person Dan was a charming, silly,  passionate cheesehead, (crazy about The Green Bay Packers) and a great friend to all lucky enough to have known him. He is greatly missed. 

Dan Voll enjoying a day off on The Amelia River Cruise