Dana Colley

Dana Colley (born October 17, 1961 in Portland, Maine) is an American musician, best known as the baritone and tenor saxophonist in the alternative rock band Morphine.

Early life

Colley was born in Portland, Maine, but he was raised in Hanson, Massachusetts, where he took up the clarinet in the 4th grade, switching to tenor sax in 7th. He picked up the baritone sax in 1984.

Musical career

With Three Colors (1985–1988)

Colley originally appeared in the Boston, Massachusetts indie rock scene playing with the group Three Colors, a post-punk band formed in 1981 whom he joined in 1985. While Colley established himself as primarily a saxophonist, he also played harmonica with the group. After modest success behind several small-run records and a brief relocation to Princeton, New Jersey, the group disbanded in late 1988.

Morphine (1989–1999)

In 1989, Colley co-founded the dark-spirited band Morphine with front-man Mark Sandman of Boston-based Treat Her Right. The two were joined by drummer Jerome Deupree and quickly garnered a local following. Their debut album, 1992's Good, was picked up by the Rykodisc label in 1993, and the band embarked on extensive, successful touring.