Dana Colley
Baritone Sax, Tenor Sax
About
Dana Colley is a saxophonist best known for playing the baritone saxophone in the guitarless, low-rock band Morphine. Colley and Mark Sandman met in Boston and formed the band Morphine in 1989. The band's unique setup featured a baritone sax, a 2-string bass, and drums. Morphine released multiple albums, had a hit video on MTV, and toured extensively. Tragically, in 1999, Mark Sandman suffered a heart attack and passed away while performing on stage. In response to this loss, Colley and the remaining members of Morphine formed the 9-piece group known as Orchestra Morphine to promote the band's final posthumous album, titled "Night." Colley went on form other successful groups including Twineman in 2001 with Laurie Sargent, and A.K.A.C.O.D. in 2006 with bassist/songwriter Monique Ortiz. Throughout the years, Colley has collaborated with various artists, including the Alloy Orchestra, Lee Renaldo, Dub Apocalypse, Club D’Elf, and Les Claypool. Colley also continues to perform the music of Morphine, with the band Vapors of Morphine.
Trivia
Dana Colley served as the guitar tech for Treat Her Right's tour and occasionally joined them on stage to play saxophone. As part of the band Morphine, Dana Colley received a Grammy nomination for Best Short Short Form Music Video for the song "Early to Bed." Dan Colley is also a visual artist and makes wood-block prints.
Early Life
Dana Colley was born in Portland, Maine in 1961 and grew up in Hanson Massachusetts. Interested in music from a young age, he would pick up and play any instrument he could find. In 4th grade he began studying the clarinet and switched to the tenor saxophone in 7th grade. He played tenor sax all through high school performing with marching, concert and jazz bands. Colley attended the Massachusetts College of Art and Design from 1980 - 1985 where continued to play music, picking up the baritone sax in 1984. In 1985 he joined the post-punk band Three Colors. When that band shared a bill with Treat Her Right, Mark Sandman's group at the time, and the two met. A few years later they would go on to form the band, Morphine.
Dana Colley Solos
1999
Baritone Sax solo - The Night - 1999
4/4 rock in F minor at 92 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - Souvenir - 1999
4/4 rock in D♭ minor at 86 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - Slow Numbers - 1999
4/4 rock in D♭ minor at 86 BPM
1997
Tenor Sax solo - Wishing Well - 1997
4/4 rock in A minor at 95 BPM
1995
Baritone Sax solo - Scratch - 1995
4/4 rock in D major at 81 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - Whisper - 1995
4/4 rock in D minor at 85 BPM
1993
Baritone Sax solo - Buena - 1993
4/4 rock in C minor at 198 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - All Wrong - 1993
4/4 rock in D minor at 104 BPM
Baritone Sax solo - Candy - 1993
4/4 rock in G minor at 104 BPM
Baritone Sax solo - A Head with Wings - 1993
4/4 rock in D minor at 124 BPM
Baritone Sax solo - Cure for Pain - 1993
4/4 rock in D major at 108 BPM
Baritone Sax solo - Mary Won't You Call My Name? - 1993
4/4 rock in D minor at 242 BPM
1992
Tenor Sax solo - You Look Like Rain - 1992
4/4 rock in C minor at 100 BPM
Baritone Sax solo - Do Not Go Quietly Unto Your Grave - 1992
4/4 rock in D minor at 206 BPM
Baritone Sax solo - Lisa - 1992
F minor
Baritone Sax solo - The Other Side - 1992
4/4 rock in D minor at 251 BPM