Darren Lyons

Darren leads both electric and acoustic jazz ensembles based in NYC.

The Darren Lyons Group is now in it's 15th year. The group started at the Knitting Factory, NYC in 1996 and held the prestigious Saturday night slot at the Tap Bar until 2004. The latest DLG CD "Evil Genius" was produced by David Sancious (Sting, Peter Gabriel). Manolo Badrena (Weather Report,Ahamd Jamal) also performs on 4 tracks. The previous release, Resonator features a cast of NYC musicians that played the Knitting Factory in DLG such as Marco Benevento and Bernard Ullrich. It was mixed by John Arrias (Jeff Beck). Darren also has an electric/acoustic duo with Manolo Badrena called "Armed and Dangerous".

The Darren Lyons Trio features outstanding pianists from NYC, such as Jeremy Manasia, Lou Rainone and Carlton Holmes. Paul Beaudry is on acoustic bass. Three Trio's was mixed by Joe Ferla and mastered by Mark Wilder.

Awards

DLG selected to perform The Blue Note, NYC 2012 "DL" interviewed for ASCAP playback online 8/2011 "Three Trio's" &"Evil Genius" added to Pandora.com, Accuradio.com & iTunes 3/2010 Darren Releases "Three Trio's"- mixed by Joe Ferla-Mastered by Mark Wilder Added to playlist and library of WBGO 88.3 FM (12/2010) Darren produced/performed Kramer Daniels 2nd CD "Sleepover", featuring the same lineup as "Digital Sushi" (06/2010) Darren produced Kramer Daniels CD 'Digital Sushi' featuring Dominic Miller, Tony Trischka, Jeff Andrews and Manolo Badrena. Mixed by Joe Ferla and mastered by Greg Calbi (09/09). Darren forms duo, "Armed and Dangerous", with Legendary musician Manolo Badrena (1/07). DLG music featured on the Guggenheim's new internet trade magazine (2/05). DLT performs at Jazz at Lincoln Center for Fortune Magazine's 50th, NYC 11/04 DLG performs at first annual "jazz meets jam festival" at Knitting Factory, NYC 5/04 Darren Lyons appears in "Modern Drummer" - MD Update (March 2003) DLG appears in ASCAP's magazine "PlayBack" (July 2001, May 2003 & November 2003) DLG performs at CMJ Music Marathon (October 2001 & 2000) DLG selected as finalist in the Independent Music Awards (September 2000) DLG selected to perform at the Bell Atlantic Jazz Festival, Knitting Factory (June 2000) DLG selected to perform at the "Live at 5" outdoor concert series, Stamford CT July 99 & 2000) sponsored by Budweiser, Snapple, 92 FOX FM. DLG recorded the theme and episode scoring for the "Buddy System", the first computer animated 3-D cartoon for HDTV (featured in "Animation Magazine" April 1999 & "DCC Magazine" May 1999) DLG performs theme music for "Monica", #1 children's cartoon in Brazil (July 1998) DLG selected to perform at JVC Jazz Festival, NYC (July 1998) DLG selected to perform at Texaco's "What Is Jazz" Festival '98 at The Knitting Factory (June 1998) Recorded drums on Pringles TV spot, 60 sec. (December 1997) Performed with rock group, The Devas, to 70,000 people at Woodstock '97 in Zary, Poland (August 1997) DLG-first music group to be featured on Bravo TV Network's website, www.bravotv.com (July 1997) Darren Lyons Group selected a second time for Disc Makers 1997 New York Independent Music World Series/ Compilation CD & Performance at Tramp's (June 1997) Recorded drums on all tracks for Randy Holden's (Blue Cheer) new CD (February 1997) Recorded one track for Vince Martell's (Vanilla Fudge) new CD (January 1997) DLG chosen for the Disc Makers compilation CD NY Heavy Hitters 1996 Drums/Percussion on 3 Coca-Cola commercials for Saudi Arabian TV (October 1996) Percussionist on 12" by Urban Soul "Until We Meet Again" (Billboard Dance Charts #21 - March 1996) Clinics for "Kids on Drums" sponsored by Zildjian/Pearl (1996) Appeared in Downbeat magazine for artist profile (1990) Toured with jazz/fusion group, Kilimanjaro

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For Darren Lyons, exploration of the world of jazz is as much a personal journey as it is a journey for the art itself. The drummer and percussionist describes himself as an artist who can stay true to the roots of jazz while still pushing the boundaries of genre.

"I feel there are things in jazz that have to be maintained," Lyons said, "but my interest in all other styles has led me to become adventurous and able to play multiple styles."

He has been in the vanguard of New York City jazz for 15 years. In 1996, he formed his eponymous Darren Lyons Group, which got its start at The Knitting Factory. Until 2004, the group held the coveted Saturday night slot at the Tap Bar. Lyons, who is fresh off the release of his fourth album, Evil Genius, is now taking a fresh crop of talented musicians to play at B.B. King's famed Lucille's Grill in New York. The group will make their debut there in an 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. gig on Friday, August 5.

"I feel there are things in jazz that have to be maintained," Lyons said, "but my interest in all other styles has led me to become adventurous and able to play multiple styles."

Lyons is no stranger to the New York jazz scene. He recalled the era of the late 70s and 80s, calling it "an ideal moment to see many different styles of music by tremendous players." But these days, the boundaries of genre aren't always as easy to cross. "I still believe there are very good players in NYC today, but I feel fewer are taking chances musically," he said, attributing the situation partly to a public that would sometimes rather stand by the comfortable and the familiar. "Times change, and I think jazz purists sometimes inhibit the growth of the art form." It's all a careful balancing act. "We have to keep this music socially relevant and let it move forward," he said.

Lyons assembled a core of kindred spirits for the Lucille's gig. "The whole group has 'big ears,' and we all love similar music, which also tends to make a more cohesive end result," he said. Two of the members - Chad McLoughlin on guitar and Skip Ward on bass - are Darren Lyons Group veterans who played with Lyons on Evil Genius. Chris Clark, the keyboard player, is the newcomer, but Lyons said you wouldn't know it by the way he plays. "During my ten years playing with Chad and Skip, we have been able to develop a telepathy and radar which makes it a lot of fun. This is true of Chris Clark too, who is new but a great fit," Lyons said. "Playing with this live unit really is one of the best I have assembled. I have always been fortunate to play with guys I feel possess a greater vocabulary than myself musically, and this current lineup is by far the best in my career. I selected this lineup because of the balance it brings to the music."

And they're only getting started. There will be audio and video recordings of their Lucille's set, and Lyons said he plans to release a live CD with the group as they perform around the city. They're also looking into returning to Lucille's in October.

As if Lyons isn't busy enough, this winter he's headed for the studio with Ward, guitarist David Phelps, keyboardist Adam Holzman and a few others to produce a new Darren Lyons Group album.

The music of the Darren Lyons Group is available on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, Abstractlogix.com, and his own website, www.darrenlyons.com. Lyons can also be heard on WBGO 88.3 FM, the world's largest jazz station, which has been playing his latest acoustic release, Three Trios.

For now, Lyons said he hopes his musical journey will allow him to continue to work with great musicians in great recordings and live performances. He said he's also always keeping an eye out for new talent and having them join his group to continue to advance the art form. Of course, that is the whole meaning of the journey, for him and for jazz. "I suspect we will continue to see musicians break musical walls down as they have done," he said. "I have faith."

— ASCAP, interview 8/2011

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