John Danyel, born 1564 in Wellow, Somerset, was an English composer, lute player and violist of the early Baroque period. He trained as a court musician and established himself through instrumental virtuosity and vocal accompaniment. His first major publication arrived in 1606 with Song for the Lute, Viol and Voice, a collection of lute pieces, solo works, and lute‑viola duets that established John Danyel's reputation. He continued to compose for lute and voice, and his works later appeared in modern recordings such as Elizabethan Songs – The Lady Musick (1998) and Why not here – Music for two lyra‑viol (2001). Danyel passed away in 1626.
