 Noted for his talents as a multi-instrumentalist, Darren Garvey is an active performer, composer, studio session musician, and educator. Through his involvement in a variety of projects and genres, he has performed at a large scope of venues including the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and renowned jazz club La Zorra y el Cuervo in Havana, Cuba. A true creative force in Chicago drumming and beyond, Garvey is known to explore both traditional and invented/extend techniques on all of his various instruments. While his unique style comes from being mostly self-taught, Garvey has sought guidance under studies with Glenn Kotche, Michael Folker, William Moersch, Ricardo Flores, Thomas Shabda Noor, Joel Spencer, Michael Zerang, Joan Hickey, and Paul Wertico. Growing up, Garvey found himself playing every instrument except the drums. By 17 he began focusing on percussion and his interests eventually earned him a Percussion Performance and Jazz Studies degree from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Through the years, Garvey has recorded and performed with various groups and ensembles and has appeared on over 30 recordings. While maintaining a busy performance schedule, Garvey teaches percussion, guitar, and piano at the North Shore School for the Arts and through Gallagher School and is endorsed by C & C Drum Company and Vic Firth sticks and mallets. He is currently recording his first solo album due for release in 2009. |