Daniel Hayles is a jazz- and groove-centric musician from New Plymouth, and holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in jazz piano from the Te Kōkī - New Zealand School of Music. When he is not playing at one of the many live music spots in Wellington City, Daniel writes and arranges music for local and international shows, visiting artists and bands such as the Rodger Fox Big Band, Orchestra Wellington and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and he is also gaining recognition as a Musical Director. Daniel's first album, Eldest Of Five, was released in September of 2019, and his second album Other Futures was released March 4th of 2022. Daniel currently performs with such wide-ranging and prominent acts as Lord Echo, Hollie Smith (including on her number one albums Water Or Gold and Coming In From The Dark), as well as many local bands and artists. Daniel is in his eighth year as an instructor at Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music at Victoria University of Wellington, where he is a Lecturer in teaching jazz combo, vocal ensemble and big band as well as guest lecturing in subjects of arranging, engraving, production and composition.