Darius Danesh
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| Darius Danesh | |
|---|---|
 Darius Danesh, singer-songwriter & actor
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| Background information | |
| Born | August 19, 1980 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Genre(s) | Acoustic, Rock, Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Musician, Music Producer |
| Years active | 2000 - Present |
| Label(s) | 19 |
| Website | Official MySpace |
| Notable instrument(s) | |
| Singing, Guitar, Piano, Saxophone, Violin | |
Darius Danesh (Persian: داريوش دانش, born 19 August 1980 in Glasgow, Scotland) is a platinum-selling recording artist, songwriter, and West End stage actor. He rose to fame on the hit British TV talent show Pop Idol.
His first, self-penned single Colourblind entered the UK singles chart at number one, and his debut album went platinum under the guidance of producer Steve Lillywhite. Darius has had five UK Top Ten singles and he is managed by Simon Fuller.
His theatre work has included two successful West End runs in the musical Chicago playing Billy Flynn; starring as Sky Masterson in the Olivier Award winning Guys and Dolls; and originating the role of Rhett Butler in Trevor Nunn’s musical adaptation of Gone With The Wind in London.
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[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life
Danesh's professional career began playing a ten-year-old Trojan boy in the Scottish Opera's avante garde 1990s production of The Trojans. As a teenager he then toured with the Scottish Opera in a critically acclaimed production of Carmen.[1]
[edit] Music career
While studying English Literature at Edinburgh University, Darius auditioned for the television show Popstars. He reached the final stages, and in 2001 auditioned for Pop Idol. On Pop Idol, he won over the British public and critics, and he became the "Under Dog" favourite for the Pop Idol title. Although Will Young went on to claim the Pop Idol title, Darius went on to have success. After the series final, he turned down Simon Cowell's offer to sing cover songs,[2] and instead sent a self-composed track to his favourite producer with the aim of creating something original. Steve Lillywhite signed him to a five-album deal. In the summer of 2002, Colourblind became Darius' first number one single and that Christmas, his self-penned album Dive In went platinum.[2]
Over the next two years, Darius would go on to support Shakira in Paris on her World Tour;[2] complete his own sell-out UK Dive In Tour; become an Ambassador for the Prince's Trust; contribute to the War Child charity album[3] with Coldplay and Oasis; write a no. 6 Sunday Times Best Seller book, "Sink or Swim"; and headline in India with Alanis Morissette[4] after his album went platinum there.
After receiving news that his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Darius wrote and dedicated his second studio album to Dr Booth Danesh, the man he calls his hero.[2] In 2005, the album's title-track "Live Twice" became Darius' fifth Top Ten single.[5] Father Booth not only lived to see his son perform it at the Royal Albert Hall, but fought and beat his cancer into remission. The album though was not a commercial success, charting briefly.
A third studio album is planned which he has been writing and recording in London and Los Angeles.
[edit] Theatre work
Darius celebrated two sell-out West End runs in Chicago[5] during a five month period in 2005-2006, and at 25, officially became the youngest actor to fill the role of Billy Flynn since the show first opened on Broadway in 1975, appearing in 121 shows without missing a performance.
In 2007 Darius starred as Sky Masterson in Michael Grandage's Olivier Award winning production of Guys and Dolls.[6]
On 5th December 2007 he reprised his role of Billy Flynn for the 10th Anniversary charity performance of Chicago in London, to benefit the charities Breast Cancer Haven and Breast Health Institute.[7]
In 2008 Danesh returned to London's West End to originate the role of Rhett Butler in Sir Trevor Nunn's musical adaption of Gone With The Wind.[8] Critic Paul Taylor of The Independent said: "The diabolically dashing Darius Danesh brings a seductively insolent charm, a dark velvet voice and a genuine fugitive pathos to the cynical blockade runner."[9]
[edit] Charity work
Off stage, Darius works with the Lymphoma Association to raise awareness, and he continues to work with underprivileged youth as a Prince's Trust Ambassador. He supports a campaign by human rights group Amnesty International to protest against injustice.[10] Darius has also designed a guitar for Guitar Aid to raise funds and stimulate communities in some of the world's poorest countries.[11]
[edit] Personal life
Danesh was born in Glasgow, to Iranian father, Dr Booth Danesh, and Scottish mother, Dr Avril Danesh. He has two younger brothers, all three were named after Persian Kings. Educated at the Glasgow Academy, he then went on to study English and Philosophy at Edinburgh University. Danesh's long-term partner is Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge of Species fame.[12]
[edit] Discography
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Danesh, Darius. Darius, Sink or Swim, My Story. ISBN 0-7553-1281-3
- ^ Broadway.com
- ^ a b c d The Record Music Magazine, January 2005
- ^ BBC News: Music stars unite for war charity, 14 October 2002
- ^ IndianTelevision.com: Alanis Morissette and Darius to stage at MTV Immies, 1 December 2004
- ^ a b The Big Smoke, 7 November 2005
- ^ Guys And Dolls the Musical
- ^ Official London Theatre Guide
- ^ Darius Danesh Is Gone with the Wind Rhett Butler
- ^ Ovation for Darius's Rhett Butler
- ^ Daily Record 31 January 2007
- ^ Guitar Aid: The Darius Guitar
- ^ Fatherhood A Priority For Gone With The Wind Star Darius Danesh. Daily Record (April 14 2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-21.
[edit] External links
- Official MySpace
- Darius Danesh at the Open Directory Project
- Darius Danesh at the Internet Movie Database
- Guitar Aid - The Darius Guitar
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