Darren started playing drums at age 15 and within one year was performing in clubs and concerts in the Chicago area. Serious about his craft, he began studying with Pat Metheny’s drummer, Paul Wertico. After high school he did a 2-year tour across most of the United States ending with a stint as Bo Diddley’s drummer. He returned to Chicago and continued to work regularly in the jazz and blues circuit, Studio and corporate gigs as well as the city’s rich eclectic original and world music scene.
In 1990 he decided to relocate and extend his musical influence to the west coast. In Los Angeles he studied and perfected his craft with some of his favorite drummers: Peter Erskine, Ralph Humphry, Jeff Hamilton, Joe Porcaro, and Freddie Gruber to name a few. While steadily working in California, he was approached to teach at the acclaimed Musicians Institute in Hollywood where he continued to teach until moving to Colorado in 2008.
His professionalism, versatility and creativity are highly regarded in the industry which has afforded him the opportunity to play, record and tour with a wide variety of artists including: Al Wilson, Otis Day, Beth Hart, Spencer Davis, Sugar Loaf, Patrick Moraz, John Goodsall, Debbie Reynolds, Bo Diddley, The Diamonds, Coasters, Platters, Ron Eschete, The Orchestra Surreal and Jubilant Skyes.
Darren’s passion for teaching endures and he is currently an instructor with the Denver Music Institute. He performs live and session music regularly and contracts with numerous Colorado agencies: Starkey Productions, Axs Group, Mannequin Productions, Jerry Barnett Orchestra, Pat Emerine Productions, Moments Notice Entertainment and Diamond Orchestra.
In 1990 he decided to relocate and extend his musical influence to the west coast. In Los Angeles he studied and perfected his craft with some of his favorite drummers: Peter Erskine, Ralph Humphry, Jeff Hamilton, Joe Porcaro, and Freddie Gruber to name a few. While steadily working in California, he was approached to teach at the acclaimed Musicians Institute in Hollywood where he continued to teach until moving to Colorado in 2008.
His professionalism, versatility and creativity are highly regarded in the industry which has afforded him the opportunity to play, record and tour with a wide variety of artists including: Al Wilson, Otis Day, Beth Hart, Spencer Davis, Sugar Loaf, Patrick Moraz, John Goodsall, Debbie Reynolds, Bo Diddley, The Diamonds, Coasters, Platters, Ron Eschete, The Orchestra Surreal and Jubilant Skyes.
Darren’s passion for teaching endures and he is currently an instructor with the Denver Music Institute. He performs live and session music regularly and contracts with numerous Colorado agencies: Starkey Productions, Axs Group, Mannequin Productions, Jerry Barnett Orchestra, Pat Emerine Productions, Moments Notice Entertainment and Diamond Orchestra.
