Zanes duo bringing family-friendly show to Iowa City’s Hancher Auditorium

Dan Zanes' life changed 15 years ago after Chuck Swanson invited the singer/songwriter to Iowa. The former Hancher executive director asked Zanes to visit Iowa for three weeks to perform and immerse himself with a couple of communities throughout the state.

“My life was not the same after going to Iowa on that trip,” Zanes said while calling from his Baltimore home. “Chuck enabled me to see the tangible changes in America. I saw firsthand what was happening and what I needed to do next.”

After the experience, Zanes was inspired to learn a new language.

“While I was in Iowa, I just knew that I had to learn Spanish,” Zanes said. “I loved how the Iowans embraced the migrants, their food and their culture. The people from Mexico and Central America have a home in Iowa. I love that Iowans are such big-hearted people, who are so inclusive.”

Zanes, 61, and his wife Claudia, 43, are returning to perform their family-oriented songs Saturday afternoon, Feb. 18, 2023, at Hancher Auditorium.

“It’s like coming home,” Zanes said. “Claudia and I can’t wait to get back there.”

Zanes’ songs connect with parents and children because he doesn’t condescend. The songs are catchy, intelligent and organic. Zanes writes songs in the same manner he did with his gritty rock band, The Del Fuegos, who Rolling Stone magazine tabbed as Best New Band in 1984.

Zanes is an uncompromising tunesmith, who has heart and compassion and that’s all over his lyrics.

Zanes, who won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for Children in 2007 for ’Catch That Train!,“ started playing family-oriented music after having his daughter, Anna, 28 years ago. In 2001 while at a Greenwich Village Playground, Zanes started jamming with other dads.

“I started making children’s music in our neighborhood, and it was so natural, but that’s what Americans always did,” Zanes said. “Communal music is a tradition. I love the spirit behind making joyful, communal music where people get to sing and dance together.”

Iconic bluesman Leadbelly and doo-wop sounds are Zanes’ greatest inspiration.

“That’s where it all comes back to me for me,” he said.

It’s 14 albums and counting for Zanes. He and his wife, who is a music therapist, released their first project, “Let Love Be Your Guide,” in 2021.

“We started singing together the day we met,” Zanes said. That was in 2016. ”I knew right away Claudia was the woman I’ve been dreaming about since Day One.“

It wasn’t so immediate for Claudia Zanes.

“I was a few weeks behind, but I eventually caught up,” she said with a laugh. “It didn’t take long for me to realize how wonderful Dan is.”

Both were born in New Hampshire, eventually made their way to Boston, and music became their vocation.

“We have so much in common and it’s great to make music with someone you love,” Dan Zanes said. “Music is an essential part of our lives.”

Claudia Zanes, whose parents emigrated from Haiti, was aware of her husband’s family-style music, but had no idea about his run as a rocker with the Del Fuegos.

“It was fascinating learning about what he did all those years ago,” she said. “Dan’s musical evolution is beautiful. The musical lives he’s lived — it’s all very powerful.”

Hancher audiences can expect to experience a number of songs from “Let Love Be Your Guide,” a collection of songs to spark intergenerational conversations. The album was crafted during the pandemic.

“It was a great time to make music,” Dan Zanes said. “Claudia and I were together and we dove right in.”

It’s not easy for Zanes to come up with a set list, since his canon is so deep.

“We have so much material to draw from when we come back to Iowa City,” he said. “I wish we could play for five hours, but that’s not possible. But we always figure it out.”

The couple will spend a few days in Iowa.

“We’ll do outreach while we’re in town, and meet people to talk about musical education,” Dan Zanes said. “I can’t wait to hang out in Iowa City, which is such a cool place. I very much look forward to performing on the Hancher stage.”

What will Zanes indulge in as soon as he and his wife arrive?

“That’s an easy one,” he said. “I’m going to have some Mexican (cuisine). That’s where you go for Mexican — Iowa City.”