The banjo moves through a constellation of modes, meditations designed to be expanded upon. In his new album of original compositions, Frailing to Suceed, Winnipeg banjo master Daniel Koulack’s clawhammer style is the sun around which soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet, flute, violin, marimba, percussion, and drum kit—the tradition instruments of jazz—revolve. The result is a project that pushes traditional roles of a banjo through different instrumentation, improvisation, and counter-melodic explorations, an interplay that also parallels what makes Winnipeg, Manitoba, Koulack’s hometown, special. For instance, jazz guitar legend Lenny Breau lived in Winnipeg for many years and his rhythm section would work with him as easily as with Métis fiddle icon Reg Bouvette. The interconnected nature of the Winnipeg music scene has always meant that hard-gigging musicians are adept at switching between traditional, world, swing, and jazz music genres. Koulack himself has spent his career working with superb jazz, African, klezmer, French-Canadian, and classical musicians. He and his band bring this flurry of influences together in the most surprising ways on the cosmos that is Frailing to Succeed. Koulack is joined by his band the Knappen Street All-star Band, made up of versatile saxophonists Bill Spornitz, Jonnie Bakan, marimba master Stefan Bauer, Don Benedictson on bass and creative percussionist Dan Roy. The big band instrumentation give this “instrumental” album the flavors of an early Woody Herman record—providing the colors of swing and klezmer music. These various layers underscore the many talents of the musicians, Koulack’s keen awareness to orchestration, and his bravery in testing creative boundaries. His risk pays off: Frailing to Suceed provides just the sort of warmth needed to sustain through a dark winter in Winnipeg and beyond. “Quirky, bizarre and beautiful music that hints at influences of klezmer, swing, classical composition and traditional banjo clawhammer styles, but the result is much more that the sum of it’s parts! It runs the gamut from gentle to humourous to haunting without a musical cliché in sight.” – Lloyd Peterson/New Tune Review “Daniel is to Clawhammer what Bela Fleck is to Bluegrass – fresh, innovative, creative, and energetic. He’s taken the medium to a new level and style.” – Cathy Fink/Banjo Newsletter Who is Daniel Koulack? Daniel Koulack whose music includes broad range of genres, is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in clawhammer (or frailing) style banjo and string bass. Daniel leads his own band, The Knappen Street AllStar Band, is one half of the Duo Fiddle and Banjo with fiddler Karrnnel, and has collaborated with great musicians in a variety of groups and musical styles including Klezmer: Finjan, Black Sea Station, From Both Ends Of The Earth, Western Swing: Woody Holler, Soukous: Trio Afrique. Daniel works regularly and on an ongoing basis with several artists on their respective projects, most notably Metis Songwriter Ted Longbottom, and forward leaning old -time fiddler Karrnnel. In addition he has had the opportunity to work on a more casual basis with many wonderful musicians including Canadian fiddling icons Gordon Stobbe, Patti Kosturuck, and Calvin Volrath.  Daniel is active as a composer, arranger and producer whose music has been used to underscore theater, film and television. Daniel is also proud to be a part of the Frontier Fiddle program (2000 – Present). This program has been a part of Manitoba’s Frontier School Division since 1996 and has resulted in a renewal of the fiddle culture in over 30 communities in Northern Manitoba. This program is unique to Manitoba and is highly respected by the Canadian fiddling community. Daniel’s own music can be heard on his two albums of original instrumental music Clawhammer Your Way To The Top, and Life On A String, both of which were nominated for Juno awards in the Best Roots/Traditional category. Daniel and Karrnnel's2015 release Fiddle & Banjo; Tunes From The North, Songs From The South has garnered critical claim and been included on top roots music lists in both the United Sates and the U.K. Daniel's third album of original music Frailing To Succeed is due to be released in May of 2016.