Darren Pickering

Darren Pickering

Musicians | Instrument: Piano | Location: New Zealand

Here’s something for those peaceful moments when softly falling rain instills a serenity upon the world you hope will never end.

—Dave Sumner, Bandcamp

Updated: December 16, 2023

Born: December 4, 1971

Darren is a jazz pianist/composer/educator, keyboard session musician, & a modular synthesist based in Christchurch NZ.

His current projects include Darren Pickering Small Worlds (cinematic jazz quartet) & various solo electronic ambient EPs. 

Some of the notable musicians he has performed and toured with include; International Jazz Artists Gordon Brisker(USA), Dick De Graf (Holland), William Parker (USA), Raed Yassin (Lebanon), Bobby Shew (USA), Jamie Oehlers (AUS), Iain Ballamy (UK), Tom Warrington (USA). Nationally Renowned Recording Artists Julia Deans, LA Mitchell, Mark Vanilau, Whirimako Black, Dave Dobbyn, Anika Moa, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Anna Coddington.

Darren’s keyboard/piano playing & compositions/songwriting also feature on studio albums such as Shapeshifter Stars, Pacific Heights The Stillness, Julia Deans Modern Fables, Oakley Grenell The Deep, Cairo Knife Fight Iron, The Tiny Lies The Oaks They Will Blow, Departure Lounge In Session, Sacha Vee Sacha Vee, Rising One & Luminous, Oval Office Oval Office, Move and Don’t Stop, Glen Wagstaff Firefly, Sumo Jazz Shiko & Throwing Salt (finalist 2011 NZ Music Awards – best jazz album).

Awards

Finalist for 'Best Jazz Compostion 2022' (APRA NZ Music Awards)


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Recording

Darren Pickering Release - Small Worlds 'volume Two' On Rattle Records! From New Zealand

Darren Pickering Release - Small Worlds 'volume Two' On Rattle Records! From New Zealand

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

Following their acclaimed debut, VOLUME ONE, Darren Pickering Small Worlds continues their investigation of the intersection between cinematic aesthetics and electronic textures within the framework of contemporary jazz. Electronic textures are more prevalent on VOLUME TWO, a set that includes solo piano tracks that employ modular synths and resonators. VOLUME TWO represents a logical progression in Pickering’s artistic and compositional vision. All compositions by Darren Pickering 2023 except “Bibo No Aozora" (Ryuichi Sakamoto, arr. D. Pickering) and “Chasing Pavements" (Adele ...

"I’m a fan of Rattle – as a label, their ethos, enthusiasm, curation; their dedication. And this is one of the best releases they’ve put in the world in a while. And Darren Pickering Small Worlds is a phenomenon unit, and the compositions here, most often, are sublime." (Simon Sweetman, 'Off The Tracks')

"So it's modern, perfectly melodic, and the general movement is based on fluidity. The contribution of electronics is quite discreet but nevertheless thickens a subject whose sounds regularly come out of the usual framework with which our ears are confronted. There is a certain je ne sais quoi in this music that is part of its charm. The interaction is there and we can say that the musicians of the quartet have the necessary osmosis for their music to blossom fully. Be curious, listen to them." (Yves Dorison, 'Culture Jazz')

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Links

Music

Mazwati Tea

From: Small Worlds Volume Two
By Darren Pickering