This statement by McCoy Tyner comes from the liner notes of his seminal recording The Real McCoy. This short phrase sums up the ultimate goal of a jazz musician: an honest expression of one's emotions as they relate to events in one's life through improvisation and composition. This is what Dan Effland strives to achieve every time he picks up the guitar.

Born on February 18, 1981 in Morgantown, WV, and spending his early childhood in Ames, Iowa, Dan began his musical career as a toddler when he would wander around the house serenading his parents and their guests singing songs about building buildings while strumming an out-of-tune guitar. His parents where great music lovers and always played music in the home. The records of choice where most often sides by Tom Petty, B.B. King, and Carlos Santana, but also Pat Metheny and Branford Marsalis. His mother, who was a classically trained oboist, exposed him and his siblings to classical concerts, college drama productions, and traveling groups that came through Ames. The family moved to Myersville, MD in 1990 and Dan began studying the clarinet in school. He continued through 8th grade when he put down his plastic Bundy for good with no intention of continuing with music.

At the beginning of 9th grade, Dan enrolled in a beginning guitar class at high school simply to fulfill a graduation requirement, but ended up falling in love with the instrument. He started playing Nirvana and other "grunge" hits of the day and shifted to blues and classic rock, particularly Stevie Ray Vaughn, Hendrix, Santana, and Led Zeppelin. Being inspired by a Wes Montgomery CD given to him by his Grandfather, and with the guidance of his school band director, Gary Rupert, Dan became infatuated with jazz and improvisation. When it came time to go to college Dan enrolled at West Virginia University as a double major in History and Jazz Studies.

After a couple of months at WVU, Effland dropped the history major and from then on has dedicated himself to deepening his knowledge of the techniques, repertoire, and history of Jazz. During his time in Morgantown (the home of WVU and the same town where Effland was born), he was able to gain a large amount of working experience with local jazz groups, wedding bands, theater companies, and projects with other young musicians in the area. In addition, he gained experience writing and arranging for many of the school’s groups including starting ensembles t hat explored Brazilian popular music and the music of Ornette Coleman, as well as being involved in a group dedicated to developing original material by its members. After four years of formal study in both jazz and classical guitar, and innumerable late-night listening sessions, Dan received his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies in May of 2003.

After graduation, Effland relocated to the fertile jazz scene of Chicago to continue learning America's greatest music in one of its greatest homes. In a city steeped in musical tradition, he has surrounded himself with like-minded players focused on thoroughly absorbing the great traditions of Jazz while finding a personal and honest approach to the music.

In the past few years, Effland has performed throughout the Midwest at famous jazz venues such as the Green Mill, Andy’s Jazz Club, Pops for Champagne, the Velvet Lounge, Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, the Hungry Brain, and the Chicago Jazz Festival. At these engagements and others he has shared the stage with jazz luminaries Ahmad Jamal, Idris Muhammed, Steve Coleman, Roy Hargrove, Ed Thigpen, James Carter, and Von Freeman. In addition, he has played with many great Chicago-based musicians including Scott Burns, Jeff Parker, Dennis Carroll, Neal Alger, John Bany, Greg Ward, Geoff Bradfield, Dave Miller, Matt Ulery, Michael Raynor, Elaine Dame, Joe Policastro, Mikel Avery, and many others.

As Effland's artistic voice acquires more and more depth, jazz musicians and aficionados are rapidly becoming aware of this young man’s unique talents.