From a young age, Dan Ruskin faced a delightful dilemma: whether to be a writer, a pianist, an actor, or a composer. Today, he’s all four—and more. Dan’s approach to life and his career can be summed up in three words: Never Say No.
Early Days in Miami
Dan’s multifaceted career began in Miami. At just 16 years old, he found himself hosting the Sealtest Hour on WTVJ. The station needed a ukulele player to pitch Arthur Godfrey’s Kenilworth Hotel and Dan stepped in.
Musical Mastery
Dan’s musical prowess spans a vast array of instruments. His philosophy is simple: while everyone else tries to play like somebody else, he aims to play like nobody else. From vamp and barrel house to boogie, progressive jazz, and stride, Dan has navigated the evolving landscape of music with remarkable skill. His journey has taken him through the styles of legends like Floyd Cramer and Erroll Garner, always adding his unique touch.
From College Bars to Off-Broadway
Armed with an MFA from Catholic University in DC, Dan’s career took a significant turn. His favorite professor was writing a political review for a Georgetown restaurant. Playing piano at a bar across the street, Dan contributed a couple of songs. The show moved to Off-Broadway’s 41st Street Theater, and when their pianist opted to stay in Washington, Dan stepped in. This opportunity led to numerous musical revues, straight plays, and even two years touring with a Shakespeare company.
Acting Gigs and Writing
While establishing himself as a musician, Dan also explored acting. He wrote “Danny’s Digest” for Roll Call and landed minor acting roles. Notably, he was Don Adams’ stand-in on “Get Smart” and appeared on “The Electric Company” and “Feeling Good.” Despite his acting ventures, Dan always found himself back at the piano, playing in bars and clubs along the East Coast.
The Piano Bar Life
The piano bar scene provided Dan with the flexibility to pursue various creative endeavors. During a long run at New York’s East Side boite, Chuck’s Composite, he spent his days writing jingles and jokes. One of his notable projects was a show called “Cross Your Fingers,” a fitting name for a performance with unpredictable outcomes.
A Breakthrough with Cole Porter
Dan’s big break came when he became a song plugger for the Cole Porter Estate. Playing unpublished Porter songs was a dream come true. This role brought him into the fold of ASCAP and solidified his place in the music industry. His subsequent projects, including “Yestermorrow,” “Watergate Follies,” and “America, Hurrah,” expanded his repertoire further.
Comedy and Collaboration
Dan’s versatility shone through in comedy as well. He was cast as a comedian in “Annie Hall,” where Woody Allen allowed him to write his own jokes. Collaborating with his brother, comedian Mark Russell on shows like David Frost and the Dean Martin Roast, Dan enjoyed the camaraderie and fun of making music and jokes.
The Pandemic Pause
The only time Dan ever stopped playing was during the pandemic. During this pause, he turned to writing, producing a book that reflects his life’s philosophy and experiences.
Philosophy and Reflections
Dan views the piano bar as a metaphor for life—a quest for spontaneous merriment and celebration. His book serves as a testament to his journey, offering insights and anecdotes from a life well-lived. Dan’s ultimate goal remains clear: to create music and joy, whether at the piano or through his many other talents.
In the end, Dan Ruskin is not just a piano player; he is a storyteller, a performer, and a creator who continues to inspire with his boundless creativity and enthusiasm for life.
“. . .A virtuoso at the piano.”- Karen Douglas, Lansing State Journal
“The best thing to do is grab a seat for Dan Ruskin” – Eve Ziebart, Washington Post
“. . .his piano has many ideas of its own.” – Roger Whitaker, The New Yorker
“If you missed his performance at the White House, see him at The Merry-Go-Round. When Dan Ruskin stops playing the piano, he makes everyone happy. Because that’s when he starts talking. And when he starts talking he’s very, very funny” – Sheraton Washington Hotel
“If you were a pianist you would want to hate Danny – he was that good. Never took a lesson, played anything. He could rattle off Elizabethan fanfares to back up Shakespearean skits with as much ease as he did a chorus of Embraceable You.” – Ed Shanaphy, Washington Times
CUPCAKES:
As hot as it was today, I passed Georgetown Cupcake and there, as usual was a line of tourists. I counted them, fourteen of them standing this blazing sun, waiting to to get in and have the experience of Buying a famous cupcake in Our Nation’s Capital. It’s like going to Lourdes.
Not any cupcake but a Georgetown Cupcake. “On our vacation we go to Washington and ee the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument and the Martin Luther King Memorial and Georgetown Cupcake.”
For some people, it’s a bucket list. Nothing holds back a person on a mission. What I love about it is that it’s like a quest. Things you’ve got to do. That was exactly how my brother and I would feel, going to the Taft hotel in mid-century Manhatton to witness the great Charley Drew playing his sleazy piano and leading the singing. He had little wooden hammers on tables so you could keep time. He called them “knockers” and that was so racy – so dangerous. . .his naughty ditties were called “songs teacher never taught.” They were categorized by a world never seen before or since: “risque’. Oh. They were people who would beg Charlie to sing the risque’ songs . . .and all I can remember of Manhattan was the Holland Tunnel, Empire State Building and Carley Drew at the Taft. Mecca. It’s in my book – the thing about a piano bar is when you go into that world you make a memory. And when you go to Georgetown Cupcake, right down the street, practically next door to Georgetown Cupcake is Georgetown Piano Bar. So many stories in TIPS, I can’t remember them. And these aren’t in there. But stuff like that? It’s in the book.
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