{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2014}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Dan Kanter | birth_name = Daniel Joseph Kanter | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|06|10}} | birth_place = Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | origin = Toronto, Ontario, Canada | instrument = Guitar, piano, keyboard, drums, bass, harmonica <ref name="York University Magazine">[http://digital.yorku.ca/issue/] {{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> | occupation = Producer, songwriter, musical director, musician | years_active = 2000–present | website = {{URL|twitter.com/dankanter}} }}
'''Daniel Joseph Kanter''' (born June 10, 1981) is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist, musical director, performance coach, and multi-platinum-selling songwriter/producer from Toronto, Ontario.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://notable.ca/nationwide/young-professionals/YPDaily-Dan-Kanter/ |title=Notable YP Dan Kanter |publisher=Notable.com |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313155723/http://notable.ca/nationwide/young-professionals/YPDaily-Dan-Kanter/ |archivedate=March 13, 2012 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/documents/RIN2013.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409080309/http://www.aria.com.au/documents/RIN2013.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-09 |title=Recording Industry in Numbers }}</ref> He is the musical director and former lead guitarist for Justin Bieber. Kanter has written and produced numerous songs and albums – most notably co-writing and co-producing the song "Be Alright" on Bieber's album ''Believe'', and co-producing Bieber's albums ''My Worlds Acoustic'' and ''Believe Acoustic''. Kanter has also directed and performed with Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, Miley Cyrus, Shawn Mendes,<ref name="YorkRegion.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/6525424-thornhill-rock-star-part-of-canadian-music-week/|title=Thornhill rock star part of Canadian Music Week|date=May 3, 2016 }}</ref> Drake, Bob Weir, Ariana Grande, Logic,<ref name="Logic">{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BeidhA1BNpe/|title=Dan Karter- Instagram|last=|first=|date=January 29, 2018|website=Instagram|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> Usher,<ref name="Rolling Stone">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/justin-biebers-guitarist-jams-with-bob-weir-20130911|title=Justin Bieber's Musical Director Dan Kanter Jams With Bob Weir|last=Eisen|first=Benjy|date=September 11, 2013|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130912010621/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/justin-biebers-guitarist-jams-with-bob-weir-20130911 |archive-date=September 12, 2013 |access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> Julia Michaels,<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7850175/canada-150-grimes-imagine-dragons-julia-michaels|title=Canada 150: Grimes, Imagine Dragons, Shawn Hook, Julia Michaels & More Reflect on the Anniversary|last=Bliss|first=Karen|date=June 30, 2017|magazine=Billboard|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630192623/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7850175/canada-150-grimes-imagine-dragons-julia-michaels |archive-date=June 30, 2017 |access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> Keith Urban,<ref name="iHeart">{{cite web|url=https://big955chicago.iheart.com/featured/emily/content/2017-10-22-keith-urban-issues-with-jingle-ball-artist-julia-michaels/|title=Keith Urban "Issues" with Jingle Ball Artist Julia Michaels | Emily | BIG 95.5|access-date=October 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029065158/https://big955chicago.iheart.com/featured/emily/content/2017-10-22-keith-urban-issues-with-jingle-ball-artist-julia-michaels/|archive-date=October 29, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Mike Gordon and Jon Fishman of Phish. He was a judge on the YTV singing competition TV show ''The Next Star''<ref name="York University Magazine"/> and the CBC music competition TV show ''Searchlight''.<ref name="CBC Searchlight">{{cite web|url=http://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/18218/meet-dan-kanter-searchlight-justin-bieber|title=Meet Dan Kanter, one of this year's Searchlight judges - CBC Music|access-date=September 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902003404/http://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/18218/meet-dan-kanter-searchlight-justin-bieber|archive-date=September 2, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is the host of the CBC show ''Guitars In Hand with Dan Kanter''.<ref name="Guitar In Hand">{{cite web|url=http://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/18935/dan-kanter-colin-james-guitars-in-hand|title=Guitars in Hand: Dan Kanter jams with legendary blues guitarist Colin James|author=Editorial Staff|date=August 18, 2017|website=CBSMUSIC|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824084159/http://www.cbcmusic.ca:80/posts/18935/dan-kanter-colin-james-guitars-in-hand |archive-date=August 24, 2017 |access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref>
==Early years== Kanter was born in Ottawa, Ontario. At a young age, Kanter learned piano, drums, and guitar.<ref name="York University Magazine"/> When he was 13, he co-starred on the television show ''Leaps And Bounds''. Kanter began playing clubs with his band Hubris in his hometown of Ottawa, Ontario, at the young age of 14. While attending Sir Robert Borden High School, Kanter co-wrote a full-length musical titled "Destiny: The Musical" which was performed at the school. Kanter headed to Toronto to study classical composition and analysis at York University. While at York University, Kanter played bass in local Toronto funk band Avenue Road. He graduated in 2007 from York University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in music, and then under the supervision of Rob Bowman, specialized in the works of Bob Dylan at York University's Graduate school.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6612668/grateful-dead-dan-kanter-column|title = Tales of a Grateful Dead Virgin: Justin Bieber Musical Director Dan Kanter on Fare Thee Well| magazine=Billboard }}</ref>
==Career==
=== Work with Justin Bieber === In 2010, Kanter co-produced Bieber's album ''My Worlds Acoustic.''<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/justin-biebers-guitarist-dan-kanter-speaks-about-working-with-the-teen-phenom-20110217|title=Justin Bieber's Guitarist Dan Kanter Speaks About Working With the Teen Phenom|last=Doyle|first=Patrick|date=February 17, 2011|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218182635/http://www.rollingstone.com:80/music/news/justin-biebers-guitarist-dan-kanter-speaks-about-working-with-the-teen-phenom-20110217 |archive-date=February 18, 2011 |access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> In 2011, Kanter starred in the 3-D concert film Justin Bieber: Never Say Never.<ref name="imdb.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3558720/|title=Daniel Kanter|last=|first=|date=|website=IMDb|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215205120/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3558720/ |archive-date=February 15, 2017 |access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> As of 2019, the film's gross holds the record for the most successful concert film of all time<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.workandmoney.com/s/highest-grossing-concert-movies-679fd368fddc484c|title=The 20 Highest-Grossing Concert Movies|last=Hansen|first=Briana|date=July 30, 2019|website=Work+Money|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217223342/https://www.workandmoney.com/s/highest-grossing-concert-movies-679fd368fddc484c |archive-date=February 17, 2020 |access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> and the third most successful documentary of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/top-grossing-documentaries-box-office/|title=5 Top Grossing Documentaries at the Box Office, From 'They Shall Not Grow Old' to 'Fahrenheit 9/11' (Photos)|last=Welk|first=Brian|date=July 15, 2019|website=The Wrap|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712215929/https://www.thewrap.com/top-grossing-documentaries-box-office/ |archive-date=July 12, 2018 |access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> Kanter also co-wrote and produced the song "Be Alright" on Bieber's albums ''Believe'' (2012) and ''Believe Acoustic (2013).''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/believe-acoustic-mw0002476550|title=Justin Bieber- Believe Acoustic|last=|first=|date=|website=AllMusic|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130054900/http://www.allmusic.com:80/album/believe-acoustic-mw0002476550 |archive-date=January 30, 2013 |access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> In 2013 Kanter was featured in the biographical concert film Justin Bieber's Believe.<ref name="imdb.com" /> Kanter co-produced and performed on "What Do You Mean?" (Acoustic) on Bieber's album "Purpose" (bonus track).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/justin-bieber-purpose-album-review|title=Purpose Is the Comeback Album Justin Bieber Needed|last=Lewis|first=Casey|date=November 13, 2015|website=teenVOUGE|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117001017/http://www.teenvogue.com:80/story/justin-bieber-purpose-album-review |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> Kanter co-produced and co-wrote the Poo Bear, Justin Bieber, and Jay Electronica song "Hard To Face Reality" on Poo Bear's 2018 album "Poo Bear Presents: Bearthday Music".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/poo-bear-billingual-album-justin-bieber-j-balvin-8254948/|title=Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, J Balvin, Anitta & More to Join 'Poo Bear Presents Bearthday Music' Album|last=Fernandez|first=Suzette|date=March 20, 2018|magazine=Billboard|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321032857/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8254948/poo-bear-billingual-album-justin-bieber-j-balvin |archive-date=March 21, 2018 |access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref>
=== Other accomplishments === Kanter was a judge on the hit YTV singing competition TV show "The Next Star".<ref name="York University Magazine"/> He has performed on two episodes of Saturday Night Live. Kanter co-wrote the song "ABC" on Cody Simpson's album Free. Kanter directed Logic, Khalid, and Alessia Cara's powerful performances of 1-800-273-8255 at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards and 60th Annual Grammy Awards.<ref name="Logic" /> In 2017, he was a judge on the CBC music competition TV show "Searchlight".<ref name="CBC Searchlight" /> Kanter is the host of the CBC show "Guitars In Hand with Dan Kanter".<ref name="Guitar In Hand" /> Dan co-wrote the hit song Infra-Red on Three Days Grace's 2018 album Outsider. "Infra-Red" went to number one on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2018/09/three-days-grace-brad-walst-breaking-van-halen-chart-record/|title=Three Days Grace's Brad Walst on Breaking van Halen's Chart Record and More|website=Consequenceofsound.net|date=September 24, 2018}}</ref> In Spring 2020 Dan co-produced and appeared with Justin Bieber, Bryan Adams, Geddy Lee, Avril Lavigne, Michael Buble, Sarah McLachlan, and other notable Canadians, in the all-Canadian ensemble cover of Lean On Me, which raised money for the Canadian Red Cross's COVID-19 initiative. The music video premiered during the 90-minute Canadian benefit concert Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://torontosun.com/news/national/all-star-canadian-version-of-lean-on-me-to-aid-the-red-cross-during-covid-19|title=Canadian stars fight COVID-19 with rendition of 'Lean on Me|website=Torontosun.com'}}</ref> In the summer of 2020, Kanter was involved with Alessia Cara's album This Summer: Live Off The Floor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thatericalper.com/2020/07/18/alessia-cara-releases-her-new-ep-this-summer-live-off-the-floor-along-with-8-live-in-studio-performance-videos/|title = Alessia Cara Releases Her New EP, This Summer: Live off the Floor, Along with 8 Live In-Studio Performance Videos|website=Thatericalper.com|date = July 18, 2020}}</ref>
==Influences == Kanter grew up in a musical family. His father – an avid Bob Dylan fan – directed Canadian productions of musicals including The Who's Tommy, Les Misérables, Chicago and Little Shop Of Horrors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vancouversun.com/Cappies+Review+Nepean+nails+production/9744834/story.html.|title=Story of a shattered life: A single childhood incident pushed Dawn Crey into a downward spiral|last=Culbert|first=Lori|date=May 19, 2017|website=Vancouver Sun|access-date=February 17, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Kanter cites Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Elton John and Metallica as his biggest influences. He is a fan of grunge era bands, including Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and the Smashing Pumpkins. Kanter's guitar influences include Jimi Hendrix, Zakk Wylde, Stevie Ray Vaughan, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, and Trey Anastasio of Phish.<ref name="rolling">{{cite news|title=Justin Bieber's Guitarist Dan Kanter Speaks About Working With the Teen Phenom|last=Doyle|first=Patrick|date=February 17, 2011|url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/justin-biebers-guitarist-dan-kanter-speaks-about-working-with-the-teen-phenom-20110217|newspaper=Rolling Stone}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jambands.com/features/2012/08/17/how-justin-bieber-found-his-way-to-phish-a-conversation-with-dan-kanter/|title=How Justin Bieber Found His Way to Phish: A Conversation with Dan Kanter|date=August 17, 2012|website=Jambands.com}}</ref>
== Personal life == In October 2010, Kanter married Fashion Director Yael Latner; at the wedding, Bieber performed.<ref name="rolling"/> Kanter mentions on his Twitter that he is a foodie.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/dankanter|title=Dan Kanter (@dankanter)|last=|first=|date=|website=Twitter|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091129170916/http://twitter.com:80/dankanter |archive-date=November 29, 2009 |access-date=February 21, 2020}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kanter, Dan}} Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:Canadian pop guitarists Category:Canadian male guitarists Category:Jewish Canadian musicians Category:Musicians from Ottawa Category:21st-century Canadian guitarists Category:21st-century Canadian male musicians