Born: December 20, 1960 Primary Instrument: Piano
Ladies and Gentlemen: The New York music scene is a hot bed for musical talent, and with the rise of the internet and the emergence of the independent artist new and fresh voices are finally getting a chance to be heard. Case in point, jazz pianist Daryl Johnson a talented composer arranger with a penchant for creatively crossing styles and genres bringing about fresh and original jazz compositions.
2004 witnessed the release of “From the Inside” the debut offering featuring six of Daryl's original compositions and a reflective solo piano rendition of “You Don't Know What Love Is”. “From The Inside” enlist bassist Lonnie Plaxico and drummer Lionel Cordew, prominent musicians whose sidemen activities list Cassandra Wilson, Mike Stern, Jeff Lorber, and Steve Coleman to name a few.Mr Johnson also brings on former mentors Warren Smith (marimba) and Andrei Strobert (drums) along with on the rise new comer Andrew Lamb (sax).The CD is an eclectic mix of Post-Bop and Contemporary Jazz written, arranged and produced by Daryl Johnson.
Hardly a novice, Mr. Johnson honed and sharpened his skills at some of New York's finest jazz institutions and workshops, acquiring degrees at Long Islands Five Towns College and then moving on Old Westbury University to study with such renowned performers/educators as Ken McIntyre, Warren Smith and Jimmy Owens and from there it was workshops at Harlem's famous Jazz Mobile studying piano with Jazz legends Ronnie Matthews, Norman Simmons and Dennis Moorman.
“From The Inside” is only the beginning of what looks like a promising recording and performing career for Daryl Johnson.
