Canadian Grammy Award-winning trumpet player Darren Barrett was the son of Jamaican parents. Darren recalls that he was born to Jamaican parents. He received a BA degree in Professional Music from Berklee College of Music in 1986. He received an MA in Jazz Performance from Berklee College in 1993 and a MS in Music Education at Queens College in 1995. He was there that Dr. Donald Byrd became a father figure to the young trumpeter. My search for a Doctorate degree was interrupted when a special program was developed called the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance at the New England Conservatory of Music.” In 1997 Darren received a Diploma of Jazz Performance from Thelonious Monk Institute, where he was a part of the inaugural class. Darren won 1st prize in 1997’s Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. This competition highlights a different instrument every year. Darren released his first album as a bandleader in 1999. He also won Deelings in 2001. Wrenaissance Volume 1 was released in 2004, and A Very Barrett Christmas in 2011. His latest releases include Darren Barrett Energy In Motion, which plays the music of The Bee Gees and dB Quintet – Live and Direct. Among others, Darren has recorded or performed with Jackie McLean and Jackie McLean, Herbie Hancock and Roy Hargrove Big Band, Common as well as Esperanza Spaulding, Antonio Hart, Antonio Hart, Antonio Hart, and Elvin Jones. Darren is currently an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music, Boston Massachuttes in the ensembles u0026 brass department. “I am working hard on my craft and trying to become as proficient and professional as possible. I am just trying to reach people through my music and trying to focus on me as a performer/bandleader/composer. Although I have many bands, they give me the opportunity to do whatever I want. I am open to exploring music and the trumpet, by being open to all possibilities, including incorporating electronics into live performances, and realizing that a great product is just as important as a great show. These are my core principles. from www.darrenbarrett.com
