Dan O'Dea (fiddle, vocals)

Dan O'Dea plays fiddle and mandolin in a wide variety of styles.  He began as a classical violinist at the age of eight, and played in three orchestras for the beginning of his education.  When he went to college, Dan found that he was no longer fulfilled by the classical music, and instead wanted to play the music that he enjoyed listening to: Rock, Jazz, Blues, Funk, Latin, Irish, and ... Bluegrass!  So in the last six years he has expanded his capabilities to include these styles.  Dan has played bluegrass with Barlow, and now plays with Mountain Heritage and the Otters as well.  O'Dea is also involved in a number of other projects, including Clann Fian, an Irish trio; The Rutgers Salsa Band, an internationally touring ensemble that has played in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and is slotted to tour in Cuba and Brazil; G.L.O., a combination of acoustic and electronic dance music, and is currently starting an acoustic jazz trio in the tradition of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli.  However, when he is not involved with these side projects, his other full time band besides Mountain Heritage is a jazz/funk/world/trad fusion quartet called Beyond.  This eclectic four piece is influenced by groups like The David Grisman Quintet, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Jazz Mandolin Project, Medeski, Martin and Wood, and many more obscure groups and genres.    You can find out more about Dan at www.dansbands.com.