David Darling (musician)

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David Darling (born March 3, 1941) is a cellist and composer. He has performed and recorded with artists such as Bobby McFerrin and Spyro Gyra in addition to putting out several solo and small ensemble albums as well as albums of his compositions.

Born in Elkhart, Indiana, Darling began studying cello at 10 and continued on to earn bachelor's and master's degrees in music education from Indiana University. He took a position as elementary and secondary school instrumental ensemble director in Evansville, Indiana in 1966, and in 1969 joined the faculty of Western Kentucky University teaching music education and directing the community college orchestra. He joined the Paul Winter Consort in 1970, as well as taking a position with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, and remained a member until 1987, when he left to pursue a solo career.

In 1986 Darling joined Young Audiences, Inc., an organization that seeks to educate children about music and the arts through in-school programs. In the same year, he founded Music for People, which seeks to encourage self-expression through musical improvisation.

In 2000 he recorded an unusual collaboration with the Wulu Bunun, a group of Taiwanese aborigines.[1]

Darling's performance and composition draw on a wide range of styles, including classical, jazz, Brazilian, African, and Indian musics. He currently lives in Goshen, Connecticut where he continues his active composing, teaching, and performing career.

In 2002 David was nominated for a Grammy award for his album 'Cello Blue'.

Darling is a tremendously gifted teacher of music improvisation and is a passionate believer in the ability of every human to learn to express themselves musically. He co-founded Music for People [2], an organization which runs "music for everyone" workshops that are inspiring everyone from musical novices to professionals. All musical styles are honored, from Bach to boogie woogie.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Solo and collaborative recordings

Open Window, 2003 (with John Marshall)
The Tao of Cello, 2003
Refuge, 2002 (with Terry Tempest Willimas)
River Notes, 2002 (with Barry Lopez)
Cello Blue, 2001
Musical Massage - In Tune, 2001 (with the Adagio Ensemble and John Marshall)
Musical Massage - Balance, 2000 (with the Adagio Ensemble)
Epigraphs, 2000 (with Ketil Bjørnstad)
The Sea II, 1998 (with The Sea Group)
The River, 1997 (with Ketil Bjørnstad)
Window Steps, 1996 (with Pierre Favre)
Darkwood, 1995
The Sea, 1995 (with The Sea Group)
8-String Religion, 1993
Migration, 1992 (with Peter Kater)
Cello, 1992
Homage, 1989 (with Peter Kater)
Amber, 1987 (with Michael Jones
Eos, 1984 (with Terje Rypdal)
Cycles, 1981 (with Collin Walcott, Jan Garbarek, Oscar Castro-Neves, Steve Kuhn, Arild Andersen)
Journal October, 1980
Paul Winter Consort, 1970-77 (various title, with the Paul Winter Consort)