Strand II CD (2009) --
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2010 JUNO nomination for Strands II (Traditional Jazz Album of the Year)
"Composer and trombonist Darren Sigesmund may have released last year's most compelling mainstream Canadian jazz album... brilliant" - TorontoLife.com March 23, 2010
"Canadian Jazz CD of 2009" - Ottawa Citizen Dec. 23, 2009
"Sigesmund is one of Toronto's best young jazz composers" - Globe and Mail Dec. 28, 2009
"vivid and thrilling" (four stars out of 5) - Ottawa Citizen Dec. 4, 2009
"an all out stellar session of progressive Latin shaded jazz" - ejazznews.com, Strands II CD review Nov. 25, 2009
"Sigesmund is an articulate emissary, conveying his message with thought and feeling" - All About Jazz, Strands II CD review, Nov. 30, 2009
Strands CD (2008) --
2009 Trombonist of the Year, Canadian National Jazz Award (nominee)
"As a writer, he's a genius...**** (four stars)" - The Globe & Mail, Strands CD review April 2008
"9/10" - Montreal Mirror, CD review Feb. 2008
“magisterial... stellar…†- Geoff Chapman,
Strands CD review in CODA magazine Jan/Feb 2008
“His light upper register imbues his instrument with a
melodic grace that it possesses in the hands of few
players†– Stuart Broomer, Toronto Life magazine Jan ‘08
With the 2009 release of his 2nd CD Strands II, Toronto trombonist Darren Sigesmund has firmly established his band as a leading contemporary Canadian jazz ensemble with international credentials. Following up his 2008 debut quintet CD Strands, Sigesmund has expanded his band to a septet with the addition of sensational vocalist Eliana Cuevas and dynamic percussionist Daniel Stone. Acclaimed for its compositional ingenuity, the Strands project consists of Sigesmund’s compositions, a contemporary blend of jazz, Latin and classical influences. With continued vigor and flair, Sigesmund has woven the textures of voice and percussion into fresh new compositions for Strands II which features special guest New York saxophonist Tim Ries of the Rolling Stones. The new CD and compositions are funded by the Toronto, Ontario and Canada Councils.
Sigesmund has led his Strands project across the globe regularly since 2003, including over 125 concerts throughout Europe, Asia, Australia & Canada. Past performances include concerts in Madrid, in Nürnberg Germany for German national radio Bayerischer Rundfunk, the Mermaid Arts Centre in Ireland, the Jazz Bar in Edinburgh, Japan Expo 2005, the Canadian Embassy Theatre in Tokyo, premiere clubs throughout Australia, South Korea’s Jarasum International Jazz Festival, Shanghai’s renowned club JZ, Hong Kong’s historic Loke Yew Hall, the Canadian National Library Theatre and the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival.
Darren has studied and performed at the internationally renowned Banff Jazz Workshop with acclaimed artists, such as Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Julian Priester, Richie Beirach, Dave Liebman, Steve Coleman, Don Thompson, Pat Labarbara, and Hugh Fraser. On trombone, Darren has studied trombone with Michael Davis (New York), Ian McDougall (University of Victoria), Jerry Johnson (Stratford Festival) and Gord Sweeny (Toronto Symphony). After studying at the University of Toronto for Jazz Performance Program, Darren honed his composition skills under the tutelage of Toronto instructor Frank Falco. Darren currently teaches piano at Humber College and privately. Darren is also an accomplished professional chef, having cooked for several years in some of Toronto’s finest restaurants after his apprenticeship with celebrated chef Michael Stadtlander at Eigensinn Farm.
