Spanish musician Daniel López, professionally known as Donny, is developing a distinctive presence within Spain’s contemporary jazz and funk scene, drawing on a musical upbringing steeped in jazz, soul, funk, R&B and Latin music.
His musical journey began before the age of eight, when he started learning drums and piano. At 11, he enrolled at Madrid’s Escuela Creativa, where he studied under renowned pianist Pepe Rivero, known for his collaborations with artists including Paquito D’Rivera and Celia Cruz. By 16, Donny had earned his Professional Music Diploma, having established an early foundation in formal musical training.
He subsequently pursued classical piano studies with maestros Mauricio Vallina and Ana Jovanovic before completing his Higher Diploma in Jazz Piano at MUSIKENE in June 2026. His academic journey also included training under acclaimed jazz pianist Iñaki Salvador.
Beyond formal education, Donny’s musical identity has been shaped by growing up in a family of musicians immersed in jazz and Black music culture. Surrounded by soul, funk, jazz, R&B and salsa, as well as vinyl records and live performances, he developed an early appreciation for influential acts such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & the Gang and Stevie Wonder. These influences continue to inform his musical direction and approach to performance.
In 2021, at just 15, Donny established his first band and musical project, RICE AND GROOVE. The project quickly attracted attention, receiving coverage from Spanish newspaper El País and winning a Clinton Award from Enlace Funk magazine in the same year. It earned a second nomination from the publication in 2025.
Expanding his creative pursuits, Donny launched a second project, DONNY’S BLACK SHOES, in 2024. The band made its festival debut at the prestigious Enclave de Agua Festival that same year, further introducing his sound to audiences within Spain’s live music circuit.
His growing profile received additional recognition in October 2025, when El País published a feature on DONNY’S BLACK SHOES titled “The Great Hope of Funk in Spain Has Blue Eyes.” The feature highlighted the musician’s emerging position within the country’s funk movement.
With a foundation spanning classical and jazz education, alongside a deep appreciation for soul, funk and Black musical traditions, Donny continues to explore the relationship between these influences through his work as a pianist, drummer and bandleader.
