Meet Dane Justice

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dane Justice.

Hi Dane, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My love for saxophone likely came from early exposure to melody; I’ve lived and breathed music in some form or another since I was born.

My dad is a gifted singer, and as a toddler, I’d stay up during nap time at daycare to listen to the recording of Miles Davis’ Kind Of Blue playing softly in the background.

I can remember hearing jingles on TV, and running around to the piano to copy them. My parents were pretty attentive to this and had me start piano lessons at a young age. Over time, exposure turned into passion, and passion into a career.

The saxophone is my medium of choice because no other instrument speaks to me the way it does. The sound of a sax is so dynamic and colorful that I feel compelled to give it life. When I play it, I feel like I’m painting with sound waves.

After playing sax through high school, I attended Truman State University and finished a BA in music and a BM in saxophone performance. In December of 2019, I finished my education at the UMKC Conservatory with an MA in jazz. I’ve been paving my own musical journey ever since.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Not in the slightest… I’ve had to claw my way to feeling whole again as a person and musician on three separate fronts over the last several years.

In 2015, during my time at Truman State, I had a bicycle accident that rocked my world. Long story short, I suffered a traumatic brain injury, and my left arm required reconstruction. I was told I was lucky to be alive, but it doesn’t feel like that when recovery is an agonizing several months long and you don’t even know if you’ll ever play again.

I worked so, so hard to get my hand functional just so I could play. I still have some residual pain, and there are large portions of my past that are spotty due to some retrograde amnesia, but I’m so grateful to nonetheless be fully cognizant and physically capable today.

From 2017 to 2018, I went through some abuse that hasn’t been spoken about publicly until now. I’d like to think of myself as a strong individual, but there were many occasions where consistent gaslighting, conditioning, and twists of reality made me question my existence.

There was a silent war in my head all throughout grad school; and there were days I couldn’t bring myself to look in a mirror, let alone practice.

Finally deciding to not let anyone determine who you are (and want to be) feels like trying to suck out your own poison with a bendy straw, and it requires every ounce of willpower you have left. Finding some level of peace took years of practice. Psychological manipulation is not pretty nor easy to overcome, and I greatly respect anyone that has.

Many people will be familiar with the difficulties 2020 brought with it. For those in the entertainment industry, it was a living nightmare. Just after graduating, not only did all entertainment cease to exist, but live music of all kinds became taboo. I felt as if the rug had been pulled on my career before it began, and I was staring down the barrel of financial ruin for the foreseeable future.

Necessity is the mother of invention, however, and I decided to start performing regularly in Loose Park. After a couple of weeks, the hills were filled with blankets and the local news was featuring it as a sort of public jazz club.

Because of the overwhelming support of Loose Park’s wonderful visitors, I was miraculously able to keep myself afloat. I’m forever grateful for them.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I make music, man!

Generally, I specialize in live performances for weddings, wineries, clubs, fine dining, private and corporate events, and festivals. My most regularly accessible public performance is on the top floor of Brio Italian Grille on the Plaza, most Fridays at 5:30. Come on out, I’d love to make some new friends!

Sometimes it’s solo work, meaning I perform your favorite tunes with some personal flair. Other times it’s with my other two groups: New Era, a DJ + sax duo that’s exotic and modern; or Top Shelf, a jazz and cover trio of drums, keys, and sax/vocals that are classy and fun.

I also record and tour for various groups (this year so far has been with Gloria Gaynor and AY Young) and teach a private studio of music students on Wednesdays and Thursdays. On my off days, I’ve been known to still give public performances on the streets of the Plaza!

Because of the prior trials I’ve been put through, I’m heavily incentivized to try to live each day like it’s my last. For me, that directly translates to blazing my own trail. Regardless of how that comes to fruition, music is the priority, and the ability to impact lives through it is a blessing.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Top Shelf will be recording in the coming months and hopefully have something you all can hear by around December if all goes well!

I’m also in the early stages of writing two books: one is an inspirational guide for people struggling to feel fulfilled, and the other is a fun and relaxed rulebook for street musicians based on true stories.

Musicians always have something in the works; it’s in our nature to constantly create. If you’d like to keep tabs on me, please follow a social page. I really hope you like what I have coming!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_saxify_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Saxify