Darcy James Argue
A rising bandleader on the New York jazz scene, Darcy James Argue directs Secret Society, a dynamic 18-piece band featuring his original works. The group includes fiery soloists like trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, saxophonist Erica vonKleist, and trombonist Ryan Keberle. Secret Society is a cutting-edge group, in the lineage of the Maria Schneider Orchestra and the John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, but also evoking the cinematic sweep of indie bands like Tortoise and TV On The Radio, and the rogue spirit of DIY new music groups like Anti-Social Music. Secret Society have performed at a variety of NYC venues including The Jazz Gallery, Makor, Union Hall, Flux Factory, Bowery Poetry Club, and the late CBGB.
In January 2008, Argue led the band’s Canadian splinter cell, Secret Society North, in a tour which included a showcase at the prestigious IAJE Conference and performances in Montreal and Toronto. In October of 2006, he made his European debut, leading the Cologne Contemporary Jazz Orchestra in a concert of his music at the jazz.cologne festival. He is also a founding member of the New York composers’ federation Pulse, who have presented projects featuring John Abercrombie, John McNeil, and Pete McCann. The Los Angeles-based Symphonic Jazz Orchestra commissioned and premiered The Golden Age and recently recorded the work. Last year, Argue was selected for the Brooklyn Philharmonic Composer Mentorship Program, and composed Dean St. for the orchestra. His Body Double, for string quartet and tapan, will be premiered this April at the Music Off The Walls series at the Brooklyn Museum. He created the arrangements for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s concerts with jazz-soul songstress Lizz Wright, alt-country artist Shelby Lynne, and the Klezmer Conservatory Band.
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Live Review
Album Review
- Real Enemies by Angelo Leonardi
- Brooklyn Babylon by Luca Canini
General Articles
Album Review
- Brooklyn Babylon by Karl Ackermann
- Infernal Machines by Karl Ackermann
Megaphone
Album Review
- Infernal Machines by Ted Gordon
- Infernal Machines by David Rickert
- Infernal Machines by Lyn Horton
June 07, 2011
Darcy James Argue To Tour Canada With His 18-piece Big Band Secret...
August 19, 2010
Darcy James Argue's Secret Society Returns to Iridium September 22nd
July 24, 2010
Darcy James Argue's Secret Society at Carefusion Jazz Festival Newport...
February 27, 2010
December 11, 2009
The Jazz Session #121: Darcy James Argue
May 24, 2009
May 12, 2009
Darcy James Argue's Infernal Machines is Now Available
May 08, 2009
Tonight: Darcy James Argue's Secret Society @ Galapagos 10 PM
December 05, 2008
A big, broad musical vocabulary came together easily, without jump-cutting or wrenching shifts of style. Mr. Argue made all these elements belong together naturally.
Ben Ratliff, New York Times
Clearly some of the most ambitious and compelling sounds I've ever encountered in the past 40 years.
Juan Rodriguez, Montreal Gazette
The music was full of large-scale, intricate designs [...] built on some of the best lessons of Charles Mingus and Bob Brookmeyer, not only in harmony and structure but also in momentum, in moving a piece forward
Primary Instrument
Composer/conductor
Location
New York City
Credentials/Background
Composition, arranging, orchestration, theory, songwriting, ear training, music notation software (Finale & Sibelius)
Clinic/Workshop Information
Composition, arranging, orchestration, music notation software (Finale & Sibelius)
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Albums
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