Photo Credits L to R:
Twin Moon Pictures / Stephanie Salas / Paul-Michael Sanchez / Jessica Greif
Danny Hechter — Touring & Session Guitarist | Kemper Programmer/Instructor | Producer | Music Director
Danny Hechter is a versatile touring and session musician residing in Los Angeles. He provides Kemper programming, teaching, consulting, and troubleshooting services to fellow guitarists — both in-person and remote. A multi-instrumentalist, Danny also plays keys and bass, and possesses strong production, arrangement, sound design, and music direction skills. Beginning his musical journey as a drummer, Danny brings an excellent sense of rhythm to his performances and recordings.
Outside of his hired-gun and production work, Danny is the band leader of Avalon Blue, an event entertainment group featuring some of LA’s top-tier working musicians. Known for silky-smooth harmonies and tailor-made performances, Avalon Blue specializes in customized, semi-acoustic experiences for private and corporate functions.
Danny served as the touring guitarist for Republic Records artist Jordan McGraw throughout The Jonas Brothers’ Happiness Begins Tour (2019-2020), a near-100-show adventure where Jordan and his band opened for The Jonas Brothers and acclaimed pop artist Bebe Rexha (overseas, the pop-rock band Picture This) at renowned arenas around the world, including: Madison Square Garden, Hersheypark Stadium, The Forum, The Hollywood Bowl, United Center, The O2 Arena, Mercedez Benz Arena-Berlin, and The SSE Arena at Wembley.
Danny also performed with Jordan, Jordan’s band, and Modern Family actress Sarah Hyland at the 2019 Teen Choice Awards (televised event; other appearances included Taylor Swift, Mabel, and OneRepublic).
Danny currently serves as:
Guitarist for pop-rock artist Syd Taylor of Stereo Jane (WRKSHP Records);
Guitarist for R&B-influenced artist Willow Stephens; and
Live & Session Guitarist + Keys for glam-rocker Savannah Pope (named top rock performer by LA Weekly and the only indie artist to make Yahoo Entertainment's Top 20 Videos list).
Danny formerly served as touring guitarist with playback (Ableton) duties for NERIAH (alt-pop artist with over one million monthly Spotify listeners).
Danny toured throughout the U.S. and Europe with rock group Badflower (Big Machine/John Varvatos Records with multiple Billboard #1s), filling in for guitarist Joey Morrow. The group opened for Nothing More and Of Mice & Men on the Truth Tour (Live Nation), and completed its own headlining run abroad with stops in Sweden, Germany, France, and London.
Along with Badflower, Danny performed at WJRR’s Earth Day Birthday Festival 2019, in addition to other radio-related appearances.
Danny also formerly served as touring guitarist—and recently, as a session guitarist—for pop artist/Netflix’s ‘Space Force’ actor Alex Sparrow (whose viral music video has garnered 34 million views and counting), as well as live and session guitarist for Paris-based pop duo Jake & Fanny (E.47 Agency; formerly signed to Epic Records).
As a session guitarist, Danny routinely records, programs, co-produces, and remixes for indie singer-songwriter Sara Melson (formerly signed to Nettwerk Records). One of their collaborations was placed in a pre-movie playlist, played at over 100 cinemas across the country, including Laemmle and Landmark theaters. Danny has recorded guitars for numerous Sara Melson tracks under the guidance of various producers and engineers, including Rick Parker (Lord Huron; Scott Weiland & The Wildabouts) and Pete Min (Ringo Starr; Vulfpeck).
Recently, Danny recorded guitars for Savannah Pope’s forthcoming album under the guidance of GRAMMY-nominated producer/mixer Sean Beavan (Guns N’ Roses; Nine Inch Nails) and engineer/Los Angeles punk pioneer Paul Roessler.
Danny formerly performed with Los Angeles-based working cover bands The Royals and Rubix Kube LA (both led by Paulie Z, whose former band, ZO2, had its own television show on IFC). Along with Rubix Kube as the house band, Danny played at guitar virtuoso Nuno Bettencourt’s 2022 Halloween Party, which entailed performing with the Extreme co-founder himself.
Further artists with whom Danny currently produces include Madison Malone and Aubrie Young.