Dan Coleman is a composer and music publisher. The Tucson Symphony Orchestra will perform a work of his at concerts at Catalina Foothills High School, 4300 E. Sunrise Drive, at 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 8; and 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 9. As a publisher, he works for musicians such as Brad Mehldau, Bootsy Collins and Kip Winger.
What was the first concert you ever saw?
Classical? Brooklyn Philharmonic. My first pop concert was Crystal Gayle at Chicagofest in 1981, by accident, through my mom's apartment window.
What are you listening to these days?
The latest record by jazz-pianist Larry Goldings.
What was the first album you owned?
Something by Hall and Oates, unless you count the free cassette that came with the stereo in my mom's Thunderbird. I think there was a Cliff Richard song on there.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone seem to love, but you just don't get?
I'm in the music business, so I pretend to dig everything. (I'm going to hell.)
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
It would have been fun to attend that 18th-century party where Haydn, Mozart, Dittersdorf and Vanhal all played in the same string quartet. And I would like to have heard Billy Strayhorn play live.
Musically speaking, what is your favorite guilty pleasure?
A dominant 13th chord with a suspended fourth.
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
I was hoping they'd just throw me away.
What band or artist changed your life, and how?
Before my heart turned to stone, I used to like Barnett Newman, Saul Bellow and Ella Fitzgerald.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Figurative guns don't compel me. This is Arizona!
