Nearly Dan
Bio
Nearly Dan is a dynamic 12-piece ensemble dedicated to bringing the music of Steely Dan to life with precision, style, and undeniable groove. Featuring top-tier musicians from the Pacific Northwest, the band delivers faithful renditions of classic hits like “Reelin’ in the Years,” “Peg,” and “Do It Again,” along with fan-favorite deep cuts.
The demands of the music of Steely Dan are high, both in technical proficiency and in preserving the sarcastic, knowing attitude originally conceived. Nearly Dan excels on both fronts, fusing together the chops of 12 diversely-talented artists (with backgrounds in jazz, rock, R&B, country, and swing) into a veritable butcher’s shop window of precisely cut bass lines; surgical, highly reminiscent guitar solos; a biting yet sophisticated horn section and richly marbled beats. Nearly Dan coolly presents their own arrangements of those masterpiece compositions such as the bouncing “Reelin’ In the Years,” the sorrowful, karmic circularity of “Do It Again,” or the funny but mortified “Peg.” Satiate your hunger for music with depth when Nearly Dan takes the stage.
The 12 members of Nearly Dan have performed with celebrities of world renown, such as Stevie Wonder, Sammy Davis Jr., Ray Charles, Lou Rawls, the Four Tops, the Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Johnny Mathis, Olivia Newton John, Huey Lewis, Tower Of Power, Natalie Cole and Gladys Knight.
Featured Video
Gallery
Contact / Booking
Nearly Dan delivers a world-class live experience that faithfully recreates the iconic sound of Steely Dan with the energy and excitement of a top-tier touring act. With a full 12-piece lineup, the band brings unmatched musicianship, rich harmonies, and tight, polished arrangements to every stage. Perfect for performing arts centers, theaters, festivals, and upscale private events, Nearly Dan consistently draws enthusiastic audiences and repeat bookings. Their proven track record at premier venues—including sold-out performances at Jazz Alley—makes them a reliable and compelling choice for presenters seeking a high-quality, crowd-pleasing show. For booking inquiries, please contact Jack at info@nearlydan.com
Reviews
““I've seen and heard a lot of music. I saw the Beatles live, twice. But when you went there [with Nearly Dan], that was quite possibly the most exquisite thing I've heard in twenty years…… Nearly Dan is 12 times better than Steely Dan… I almost fainted. I never imagined I would get to see Steely Dan songs live where I can dissect each part - you are one of my life dreams actualized.” - Shannon M.”
““You are AMAZING!!! My mouth hurt from smiling so much throughout your entire show!!” - Francine T.”
““Nearly Dan is simply one of the finest live bands in the Great Northwest and they killed it last night sonically and the fun meter was pegged. No pun intended…”. - Anthony B.”
““I was BLOWN AWAY. I was amazed a band could capture Steely Dans smooth energy and sound so flawlessly. I found myself thinking after listening to Home at Last and a few other songs, "whoever manages these arrangements has to be a perfectionist”…. - Rachel J.”
““You did each song in your set-list, so well… I was actually sitting there, moved to tears of joy”…. - Mark U.”
““Saw your show last night and was absolutely blown away!! Not only the extraordinary musicianship but the interaction among the band members and the crowd was just flat out remarkable.” …. - TL McD.”
““the enthusiasm and joy evident in your performance is uplifting and contagious”…. - PV B.”
““Absolutely stunning. Y'all cover the songs, but you are not a cover band. True to the original, but with a fresh twist.” …. - Boyd and Lara J.”
““Thank you for keeping on, for having fun, and for being a true class act” …. - Square Customer”
““Great show by Nearly Dan tonight! It's not every band that will bring tears to your eyes because of how good they are.”…. - April W.”
““NOT just a knock-off band . A soulful experience! Congrats to a phenomenal band. wow! guys. WOW!”… - Anonymous”