Henry Darragh is a talented multi-instrumentalist and composer currently working in Houston Texas while doing graduate studies at Moores School of Music. Darragh is a great trombonist and can also sing, compose, arrange music, lead, inspire, and organize. One might imagine Darragh as a jazz songwriter, who can swing and croon his vocals. But that is only one chapter of his story. Darragh, a Pasadena Texas native, was raised around music and hoped to one day become a classical trombonist. Jazz was always there in the background. He had jazz-loving teachers from 7th grade. They introduced him to classic jazz recordings and jazz was a secret language until college. Darragh says that his family had a piano since childhood. He also took Theory I at San Jacinto College with Ray Dillard. Later, he received private lessons to “just hang out with Ray” and learn percussion. Ray is a skilled musician who teaches at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto (Canada). Darragh also played piano at the University of Houston with the jazz ensemble. This gave him the opportunity to play with guest clinicians Lou Soloff, Randy Brecker and David Sanchez as well as Houston-based artists like Kelly Dean, Erin Wright and David Craig. Darragh was accepted to the U of H’s Musical Theater Lab, where he worked alongside Tony Award winner Stuart Ostrow (1776, Pippin). Darragh also cites the experience of working with directors and writers as something that really pushes him as a writer. Moores School of Music is where he is currently pursuing graduate studies. Darragh has performed professionally with many artists, including TJ Funk, Los Skarnales and the Steve Lippia Band, Adela Dalto and DJ Sun’s Solar Grooves. He is currently appearing solo on piano and vocals or as part of a small band. While he continues to be a session artist and jazz performer, he also keeps busy. http://henrydarragh.com
