Darius Danesh
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Darius Danesh | |
|---|---|
 Darius Danesh, singer-songwriter & actor
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| Background information | |
| Born | 19 August 1980 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Genres | Acoustic, Rock, Jazz |
| Occupations | Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Musician, Music Producer |
| Years active | 2000 - Present |
| Labels | 19 |
| Website | Official MySpace |
| Notable instruments | |
| Singing, Guitar, Piano, Saxophone, Violin | |
Darius Danesh (born 19 August 1980 in Glasgow, Scotland) is a Scottish (half Iranian) platinum-selling recording artist, songwriter, and West End stage actor. He rose to fame after finishing in third place on the British TV talent show Pop Idol in 2002.
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. He has had five UK Top Ten singles and he is managed by Simon Fuller.
His theatre work has included two 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.
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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 avant 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 and Philosophy at Edinburgh University, he auditioned for the television show Popstars, reaching the final stages. In 2001 he auditioned for Pop Idol, where he was voted third. After the series final, he turned down Simon Cowell's offer to sing cover songs,[2] and instead sent a self-composed track to producer Steve Lillywhite who signed him to a five-album deal. In 2002 Colourblind became Darius' first number one single and his self-penned album Dive In went platinum.[2]
Darius went on to support Shakira in Paris on her World Tour[2] and completed his own sell-out UK Dive In Tour. He contributed to the War Child charity album[3] with Coldplay and Oasis and headlined in India with Alanis Morissette[4] after his album went platinum there. He also wrote a no. 6 Sunday Times Best Seller book, "Sink or Swim".
After receiving news that his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he wrote and dedicated his second studio album Live Twice to Dr Booth Danesh.[2] In 2005, the album's title-track "Live Twice" became his fifth Top Ten single.[5]
A third studio album is planned which he has been writing and recording in London and Los Angeles.
[edit] Theatre work
Danesh had two West End runs in Chicago[5] during 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.
In 2007 he starred as Sky Masterson in Michael Grandage's Olivier Award winning production of Guys and Dolls.[6] Later that year 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 adaptation of Gone With The Wind.[8] The show was criticised for being too long, but Darius received rave reviews for his performance: 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] It officially opened at the New London Theatre on 22 April 2008, the production closing on 14 June, 2008, after 79 performances (including previews).
[edit] Television work
In 2009 he guest-starred in episode six of the fourth series of the BBC show Hotel Babylon, starring as Gennaro Fazio, an Italian magazine editor.[10]
[edit] Charity work
Danesh works with the Lymphoma Association and also as a Prince's Trust Ambassador, working with underprivileged youth. He 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, Cyrus and Aria. Educated at the Glasgow Academy, he then went on to study English Literature and Philosophy at Edinburgh University. Danesh has a relationship with Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge of Species fame.[citation needed]
[edit] Discography
- Dive In (2002)
- Live Twice (2004)
[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
- ^ Hotel Babylon credits
- ^ Guitar Aid: The Darius Guitar
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Darius Danesh |
- 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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