Biography
Born:
November 29, 1956
Entertainment, Lifetime, Saturday Night Live (NBC), Good Morning America (ABC), and NBA Inside Stuff (NBC) are all recent television soundtrack credits that jazz artist/producer/composer Darryl Alexander Sr., has recently added to his musical credits. Warner Chappell, the publishing division of Warner Brothers, administers Darryl’s musical catalog internationally through an agremment with DSM Producers.
Years ago, Darryl had sent a CD of 10 songs to DSM Producers of New York. Dayton, OH native CEO Suzan Bader. Her company is administered Worldwide by Warner Chappell. Darryl had not heard from DSM for a while, and was unaware that DSM had just moved to a new suite to a larger office complex in New York. A box of CD’s had been left by the moving company. The new tenant saw them and carried them to DSM’s new suite. Ironically, Darryl’s CD was at the top of the stack and Ms. Bader promptly gave it a listen. Within a matter of 2 days, she contacted Darryl and an offer was made to publish these original 10 songs, with Warner publishing them internationally.
“This one small thing has probably been the greatest asset in my musical career,” says Darryl, and is a door that without God’s intervention would not be open.
Darryl's CD releases have all been well rceived by the listening public, and include “Diamond In The Sky,” “Tea For Two,” and “17th Street.”
Darryl’s other life passion is reflected in his work with inner city at risk youth, as well as serving as a federal grant reviewer for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Home:
Boardman, OH
Press Quotes
By Jeremiah Sutherland
www.bullfrogmusic.com
When listening to a CD prior to reviewing it, I like to do different stuff…driving with the top down on a sunny day is one of those things. Driving from the ferry terminal to the bustling downtown of Victoria proved to be just the right amount of time to listen to Darryl Alexander’s release, “This Way”.
This is a smooth jazz instrumental release leavened with a little funk and a titch of hip-hop.
The music moves along nicely with no snooze-inducing stretches of soporific strings or annoying acapella vocal riffs.
Recommendation: Good Smooth Jazz album that stands out from the herd.
Darryl Alexander .. Diamond In The Sky .. DAP Entertainment ..
CD Reviews / CD Reviews
By John Gilbert
This is an album that is as smooth as silk and that is as smooth as it can get.
For the afficionados of this type of music, it will be candy for you auditory senses.
The eleven tunes on this CD are all written and arranged by Alexander with the exception of “Plumb line” written by Herb McMullen and Darryl Alexander.
I would characterize this recording as mood music for a late night date accompanied by some fine wine and an exotic meal, a perfect setting for a romantic rendezvous.
The music is non abrasive with no fuss or clutter, no torrent of notes to assail the ear, simply warm sounds for the romantically inclined. 4 Stars
John Gilbert - ejazznews.com
Drummer DARRYL ALEXANDER, SR. leads a soulful ensemble in soft, contemporary melodies that cast a DIAMOND IN THE SKY (DAP 200048) above urban scenes that can never be as peaceful as the night sky. Saxophonists Kenny Blake and Kenny Anderson, and others, romp leisurely through a comfortable program of originals (3rd Eye/ Too Late for Love/ Cafe Rio/ Garden of My Heart/ West Coast Sunrise/ Plumb Line/ Ancient Of Days/ Who's That Girl/ Feel Your Love/ Gizmo Babies/ Stolen Moments. 50:22. Both saxophones wail mournfully as the music walks down the street without stopping to look right or left Smooth as satin and focused on one goal the session moves gracefully without hurrying, and settles down to a slow fade to close. Blake and Anderson add repetitive nuances to embellish each of these breezy melodies, as the rhythm section provides backbeats and a mellow drive. Alexander leads with a strong hand and offers a few brief solos. His textures do not vary, and his beat remains solid. Such comfortable mood music would become boring, were it not for the minor asides that pop up now and then. Kim Pensyl tosses in a few trumpet and f1ugelhorn phrases from time to time, and guitarist Ken Karsh adds tender soliloquies. One piece recalls the Doo-Wop era, while another adds just a touch of Rio. In all, Alexander's latest album provides soothing mood music for a lazy afternoon or for a leisurely evening of unwinding.
Jim Santella
Jim Santella - Cadence Magazine
Featured Artist: Darryl Alexander
CD Title: Tea for Two
Record Label: DAP Entertainment
Genre: Contemporary Jazz
Review: If the current trend continues, Darryl Alexander will conti!1ue to rise. The multi-instrumentalist is truly tough in his own right He is joined by musicians such as Ken Karsh (lead and rhythmn guitar), Mark Early (tenor, soprano and alto sax), Jackie Warren (piano solos), on most of the tracks. While one could say that his sound is smooth like Kenny G's, much more is going on here in terms of mood and style. Alexander has many musical credits to his name, which are well publicized, including soundtracks and television shows.
The strongest tracks are probably “Can This Be Love,” “Mirage,” and “Just Another Attitude,” and that is subject to debate. Those were selected because of the strong solos by the “nucleus” of the group working with him. However, there are no weak tracks and that's most important to note. “Changing of the Guard” sounds like a modem variation on bossa nova and it's quite spicy. The tracks are average length and give more aural energy to the listener than they take. Mark Early deserves more than honorable mention, as his contribution to this CD is stellar. Alexander and company are worthy of the high praise received in the media This is some funky, stylish and sophisticated contemporary jazz. Listeners who dislike jazz should be very inspired to change their ways and open their ears.
Rating: Five Stars
Reviewed by: Denai Burbank
Denai Burbank - Jazz Review.COM
Tea For Two
DAP Entertainment
Smooth and satisfying is how I can best describe Tea For Two, the new album from producer/songwriter Darryl Alexander. The first track, “Can This Be Love,” is a delightful romantic track featuring tasty solos from Ken Karsh and alto saxophonist Mark Early. Early switches to soprano sax and flows throughout the second track, “Mirage,” which also features pianist Jackie Warren. Karsh shines on track five, “Let’s Take A Chance” with highlights from Alexander on drums & percussion. The tempo picks up on “Ms. Information,” an R&B/smooth jazz track reminiscent of David Sanborn. “Ms. Information,”features Karsh and Warren who shine on this track with their solos. The entire album was written and produced by Alexander and holds up as one of the best smooth jazz albums this year (DK)
DK - The Urban Network
News 
[ MORE - POST ]
"This Way" Triumph and Tragedy Behind Darryl Alexander's New CD
Gear
Yamaha Custom Stage Drums, Zildjian and Sabian cymbals, Kurzweil SP88 Keyboard Controller, Yamaha Motif, Alesis QSR
Proteus 2000, Roland JV 880, Ensoniq SQR, Akai MPC 2000
Roland VS 2480, Mackie Mixing Board, Cubase,
Variety of LP Percussion, Event Monitors
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Last Updated: July 25, 2008
