Daniel C. McKenzie
Biography
Daniel Catalino McKenzie (1880 – 29 January 1949, Santa Fe, N.M.) was an American composer, arranger and band leader.
Daniel McKenzie joined the Los Conquistadores, a Santa Fe, New Mexico, concert band as a trumpeter in his youth while a student and worked his way to the top. In the 1920s and 1930s the band reached its peak of popularity and proficiency under McKenzie's directorship. McKenzie was an all-round musician who could play any instrument, prepare arrangements and compose music, even though he had no academic degree in the field. His grandson remembered him conducting with one hand and playing trumpet with the other. McKenzie directed the St. Catherine Indian School Band from 1926 to 1934 and organized the St. Mike's Band in 1930 and the Santa Fe High School Band in 1935. All this was done in his spare time, as he was a house painter by trade.
Director McKenzie composed a number of special pieces for his musicians. His most popular original air was La Villa de Santa Fe, which was adopted as the official city song in 1935. McKenzie retired in 1941. He died in 1949.
Works for Winds
- The Executive's March
- La Villa de Santa Fe (arr. Grant) (1935)
- Lluvia de Flores