Levenson first became reacquainted with old-time music while living in Rochester.[4] His interest in the genre deepened after working as a photographer at music festivals, and then as a manager for five years at Goose Acres Folk Music Center in
Cleveland,[5] becoming totally immersed in
banjo playing during this period. He learned about the art of
storytelling by noticing how folk singer
Pete Seeger captivated his audience during a heavy rainstorm at
Point State Park in Pittsburgh. Later, after meeting Seeger at the Second Tennessee Banjo Institute and asking the artist about the intricacies of his method and delivery, he replied, "Dan, you just tell your story".[4] Levenson typically uses a story to introduce the next song in his
set list.[2]
In the late 1980s, Levenson formed a
string band called the Boiled Buzzards, which went on to record four albums between 1989 and 1994.[4][5] The band started out with five players, with the lead performer on
fiddle. When the fiddler declined to play onstage, the lead position went to the
harmonica player, which gave the band a unique sound.[4] In 2009, Levenson played
old time fiddle for the band while his wife Jennifer played the banjo, with Greg Gendall on guitar and Marc Robert on
bass.[6] An accomplished
clog dancer,[7] Levenson has performed with Cleveland blues guitarist Bob Frank as part of his Hotfoot Duo.[5] After touring with Kim Murley as part of the Blue Rose Duo,[4] Levenson embarked on a solo career.[3]Bluegrass Unlimited described his playing as "melodic, meticulous and uncluttered".[7] As of January 2015[update], he has released ten recordings.[4]
Levenson has taught music at
John C. Campbell Folk School,
Mars Hill University, Maryland Banjo Academy,
Ozark Folk Center, Banjo Camp North and the Rolland Fiddle Camp. Out of a strong desire to introduce the banjo to absolute beginners, he traveled throughout the United States, England, Ireland, Israel and Brazil[8] leading
training workshops known as Meet the Banjo or "Clawcamp".[3][4][5] While in the United States, he used a 2003
Airstream trailer to travel around the country, often wintering at an
RV park in
Yuma, Arizona.[2] Due to his focus on these workshops, he performed only at about twelve concerts per annum.[6] Levenson began writing a column for Banjo Newsletter in January 2005.[4]
Personal life
Levenson is married to Jennifer, his former bandmate in the Boiled Buzzards, who plays the fiddle and banjo.[3] They live in a
farmhouse on an 80 acres (32 ha) homestead in the
Appalachian region of Ohio,[2] and keep a winter home in
Tucson, Arizona.[4][6]
Awards and recognition
Levenson was voted one of the United States's top ten
clawhammer banjo players by Banjo Newsletter readers.[9][10] He has been called the "
Johnny Appleseed of the banjo" by fellow banjoist and writer Ken Perlman in recognition of Levenson's efforts in popularizing banjo playing across the United States and the world.[3] Some awards he has received for his work are:
2005 Ohio Clawhammer Banjo Championship, first place[8][11]
2010 Ajo, Arizona Fiddle Contest, Grand Champion[8]
2017 Master Artist Award from Arizona's Southwest Folklife Alliance[8]
Works
Levenson has authored numerous books on fiddle and clawhammer-style banjo playing, along with instructional
CDs and videos.[5]