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Darren English
He has performed with UK Reggae artist Finley Quaye, UK Pop star Craig David, South African writer/musician/director David Kramer, guitarist Jimmy Dludlu multi-instrumentalist Mark Fransman, saxophonists Jonathan & Ryan Kilgore (Stevie Wonder), trombonist Saunders Sermons (Maxwell, Jay-Z), drummer Duffy Jackson, organist/trumpeter Joe DeFrancesco and pianist Joe McBride.
His most notable performances have been with Grammy® Nominated trumpeter Russell Gunn, being featured in his Krunk Jazz Orkestra featured at the Atlanta Jazz Fest (2014), with vocalist Carmen Bradford (Count Basie) as well as performing regularly and recording with Grammy® Award saxophonist Kebbi Williams (Chris ‘daddy’ Dave. Tedeschi Trucks), Greg Tardy, Melvin Jones (Tyler Perry), Joe Gransden, the Joe Gransden Big Band, Dwayne Pate, Yacht Rock Revue, Deszon Claiborne, Mike Burton (Jill Scott/Tyler Perry) Dave Matthews (Carlos Santana), Louis Heriveaux and the Kevin Bales Quartet to name a few.
Recently he has been featured in the US at the Atlanta Jazz Fest with his own quintet, as well as being the featured young artist at the 2015 Sitka Jazz Festival in Alaska and in Livorno (Italy) with vocalist Michela Lombardi.
He has recently recorded his debut album 'Imagine Nation' under Atlanta's top jazz label, Hot Shoe Records®, which features trumpeter's Russell Gunn and Joe Gransden, vocalist Carmen Bradford (Count Basie Orchestra), saxophonist Gregory Tardy, pianist Kenny Banks Jnr, drummer Chris Burroughs and bassist Billy Thornton. Darren is exclusively endorsed by B.A.C. Custom Artist Series Trumpets.
Awards
2010 Fine Music Radio Nassburn (FMR) Award Winner (SA) 2011 UCT Honors Award (SA) 2012 Fine Music Radio P'nP (FMR) Award Winner (SA) 2012 SAMRO Instrumentalist Overseas Award Winner (SA/USA)
Tags
Darren English: Imagine Nation
by Mark Sullivan
South African trumpeter Darren English (now living in Atlanta) makes an impressive debut on Imagine Nation, a mix of originals and standards. The album's centerpiece is formed by three compositions that are part of a suite paying tribute to freedom fighter Nelson Mandela. The title tune opens the album, an anthemic piece played by English with the core group of pianist Kenny Banks, Jr., bassist Billy Thornton, and drummer Chris Burroughs. English makes an immediate impression, as a composer and ...
read moreDarren English: Imagine Nation
by Dan Bilawsky
Trumpeter Darren English carries the spirit of South Africa and the entire history of jazz in his horn. On this, his debut album, the Cape Town-born, Atlanta-based English pays tribute to the late Nelson Mandela, matches wits and chops with fellow trumpeters Russell Gunn and Joe Gransden on “Cherokee," partners with vocalist Carmen Bradford on a pair of classics, and goes toe-to-toe with saxophonist Greg Tardy on “Bullet In The Gunn." He comes away from all of it sounding confident, ...
read more"He might be young, but he's no joke." - Russell Gunn (at the Atlanta Jazz Fest)
"It's only every once in while a musician like Darren comes along 'wows' everyone" - Joe Gransden (at the Johnny Mercer concert)
"Man, you already have your own sound!" - Joey DeFrancesco (at the Rialto Center for the Arts)
"It's a joy hearing you swing on stage, and for us to play together" - Duffy Jackson
"He swings he's a— off" - Carmen Bradford (Count Basie Orchestra)
Photos
Music
Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson
