Workshop Artists

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David Darling

Barry Green

Alan Scofield

Chungliang Al Huang

Mary Knysh

Rhiannon

 

" Maverick cellist" is the phrase most often assigned to Grammy Nominated Artist, David Darling, but it hardly captures the richness, diversity, breadth and sense of humor of a man who literally redefines the way the cello is played and the way music is taught.? His prolific collection of recordings and innovative performance style represent an eclectic variety of musical genres.? His playful and unconventional teaching methods have helped open the world of music and improvisation to thousands of individuals.

Darling was born on March 3, 1941 in Elkhart, Indiana where he began piano lessons at the age of? 5 and the study of classical cello at age 10. His passion for music developed throughout his school years. David Darling attended Indiana State University earning his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music Education.? During his college years he founded a jazz ensemble in which he played piano, saxophone and bass. He studied cello with internationally recognized artists/teachers: Lorne Monroe, Gilbert Reese, Fritaz Magg and Janos Starker, and pursued studies in music composition. He was a scholarship student with the Pierre Monteux conducting school and studied jazz performance at Berklee School of Music in Boston. Early awards include First Place in the Indianapolis Indiana Music Matinee' Solo Artist Competition, and a Scholarship to the American Federation of Musicians Strings Seminar.? During these formative years he also pursued athletic interests in many sports with a concentration in competitive tennis winning numerous state High School and College competitions. Darling considers athletics and music to be kindred disciplines.

In 1966, David Darling began his professional career in Evansville, Indiana as an elementary and secondary school orchestra and band conductor. In 1969 he became faculty cellist, community college orchestra conductor, and music education teacher at Western Kentucky University

In the summer of 1970 Darling joined the Grammy Award winning Paul Winter Consort making his home in Nashville, TN. There he served as assistant principal cellist with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and worked as a studio session player in the Nashville recording scene with the main focus of his career being the Consort, an extraordinarily progressive band for its time.? The Consort sound was a rich blend of jazz, classical and world music incorporating, at times, the voices and sounds of nature. As a soloist, composer, and vocalist with the Consort, Darling was exposed at length to ensemble and solo improvisation. He retired from the Paul Winter Consort in 1987 to begin the exploration of a solo performance, teaching and recording career.

Throughout the years David Darling has collaborated with a wide variety of international artists including; Musicians: Paul Winter, Ralph Towner, Glenn Moore, Collin Walcott, Paul McCandless, Jan Garbarek, Arild Andersen, Paul Horn, Steve Kuhn, Terje Rypdal, Jan Christensen, Ketil Bjornstad, Pierre Favre, Steve Swallow, John Clark, Dave Samuels, Ratzo Harris, Dino Saluzzi, Oscar Castro Neves, Glenn Velez, Bobby McFerrin, Spyro Gyra, Allaudin Mathieu, Peter Kater & R. Carlos Nakai, Patrick Leonard, Joseph Firecrow,

David Darling established his cherished relationship with ECM Records and Manfred Eicher in 1979 with his appearance on Ralph Towner's ,"Old Friends, New Friends,"featuring Towner, Kenny Wheeler, Eddie Gomez, Darling, and Michael DiPasqua.? In 1981, his first solo release for ECM, "Journal October," was met with critical acclaim. Additional solo recordings include:? "Cello" in 1991 and "Darkwood"in 1993.?? Pulse Magazine placed " Cello" on their list of the 10 Best Contemporary Instrumental Albums of 1992.

Darling continues to be inspired by the creative genius, artistic expression, and diverse talent? associated with the ECM label.? He is currently working on his fourth, soon to be released, solo CD.Darling's self produced CD, "Cello Blue," issued by Hearts of Space and Valley Entertainment in 2001, earned rave reviews,? a 2002 Grammy Nomination and also the AFIM Indie Award from the Association for Independent Music.

In 1986 David Darling co-founded "Music for People," an internationally
recognized non-profit educational network dedicated to teaching and fostering music improvisation as a means of creative self expression.? Music for People's training and certification program, now in its 18th year, continues to flourish in the United States and has recently expanded to offer seminars and workshops at the Center for Well Being and Creativity in Kiental, Switzerland.? Mr. Darling has traveled extensively for over 40 years enthusiastically encouraging all humans to explore their musical talents and creative abilities.? He has inspired and encouraged thousands at numerous wholistic facilities and retreat centers such as: Esalen, NY Open Center, Hollyhock, and Omega Institute.

In 2001 David received the "Arts Advocate of the Year Award" presented by the Connecticut Music Educators Association for "His excellent work in music education and improvisation." ?He has contributed to a variety of recordings for young listeners and to the book "Open Ears; Musical Adventures for a Ne Generation," a compilation of writings for children by diverse musicians such as: Paul McCartney, Peter Seeger, and Mickey Hart. For over 30 years David Darling has performed at major festivals and in concert venues such as: Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, Grace Cathedral, Queen Victoria Hall, The Kennedy Center, Festival de Musical Visual de Lanzarote and Jazz Festivals in: Montreal, Berlin, Frankfort, and international New Music Festivals.

David Darling resides in Goshen, CT creating music from Camp David Recording Studios.? He happily enjoys being near his two daughters, Jessica Darling and Bonnie Shea, and his grandaughter Erin Latham Shea. Barry Green and David Darling were classmates at Indiana University and remain good friends for almost 40 years. David and Barry have played together on concerts and often appeared together on seminars dedicated to concentration, innovative teaching techniques, and new approaches to creativity and expression.

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