Dante Fire
Dante Fire has had a wide range of exposure to both the art and
business ends of the music business. He has performed on bass and
drums since the age of 12, and has gone on to produce over 20 albums.
Since his chance meeting with Arsenio Hall at the Comedy Store in
Hollywood, and work on the infamous Carlos Martinez Show, Dante
has led the jazz fusion group Cross-Effect through some very good
times.
One of his career highlights is holding down the bass chair in the band
of legendary “Funk Master” Rick James. Some may recall Dante’s much
earlier hip hop work with Word$ Of Mouth featuring Thump/Universal
rap artist Bossolo. Additionally, Dante produced and directed music
videos like “Insane” that aired on MTV’s YO MTV Raps program in the
90’s or “Love Exorcist” from his 2013 Dark Angel album.
In addition to being a bandleader and musical director, Dante has also
managed the vocalist Sabrina Vargas. Receiving his Bachelors from the
University of Redlands and MBA from the University of Phoenix he has
taught drums privately and lectures at the college level on the music
business at The Art Institute of San Diego. He has also guest lectured
on the history of African Drumming at The Los Angeles Academy of
Arts, The Orange County School District, Loma Linda Academy and La
Sierra Academy in Southern California. As a record executive, Dante
worked under Judy Valsi at EMI Records along with Monte Lipman
current CEO of Universal Republic before starting Music Mattress,
Inc./BLUE NOTE DIGITAL.
From a musical perspective, he has worked with many top artists
ranging from jazz to rock and r&b/ hip hop to gospel. Some of the
artists include: George Duke, Al Jarreau, Jamie Foxx, Rick James,
Candy Dulfer, and Ice-T. He has also performed with vocalist/actress
Tichina Pam Arnold (Martin Lawrence Show) Jazz legend Henry
Franklin, Andy Waddell, Gustavo Ramirez, Ronald Bruner Jr. (Marcus
Miller/Stanley Clarke/KennyGarrett bands), Carlitos Del Puerto (Bruce
Springsteen/Frank Gambale/ Chris Botti/ Arturo Sandoval), Donald
Barrett (Carson Daily Show/ Seal/Pink Bands), Zane Musa (Arturo
Sandoval/Carson Daily Show Band).