alto saxophone

Matt Darriau was named one of the most influential jazz musicians of the last fifteen years by Jazziz Magazine for the impact he has had in bringing Balkan and world rhythms to jazz. As a leading innovator in the new Klezmer movement (with his own Paradox Trio), Mr. Darriau is also active as composer and musician in the new Celtic band Whirlgig, the big band Orange Then Blue, Ballin' The Jack (an early swing septet), and the Recycled Waltz Orchestra, a quintet dedicated to film music. His ability to simultaneously work on projects involving Klezmer and Celtic music and early music of Duke Ellington shows Mr. Darriau's knowledge of music history, and his virtuosity as a performing musician and as a composer. He plays, in addition to alto saxaphone and clarinet, several ethnic flutes from the Balkan and Celtic area. As a leading artist of the downtown music scene in New York, Mr. Darriau has played with Gunther Schuller, The Klezmatics, Frank London, Lorin Sklamberg, Elliott Sharp, Marc Ribot, George Schuller, Theodosii Spassov, Mark Feldman, and many others.

Performances

Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory | February 24, 2002