Darren Williams is active as both a musician and comedy writer/performer
THE MUSIC:
Darren is a music performance graduate of York University in Toronto where he studied contemporary improvisation with Professor Casey Sokol. Since 1997 Williams has been active as a performer devoted to musical improvisation in many of its manifestations. Concert appearances have included collaborations with John Oswald, Eugene Chadbourne, Ig Henneman, Mats Gustafsson, John Abram, and many others. As a diverse instrumentalist Williams explores timbral possibilities and various extended techniques on his saxophones and bassoon with a penchant for reinterpretation of popular/familiar musical forms. During his time in Calgary (2001-2004) Darren Williams, along with artist Kenny Doren and the lovely noise churning Cody Oliver , established nach Hause: a monthly concert series devoted to improvised music and contemporary composition featuring both local and international artists. Darren has been involved in a number of ensembles over the years, most notably as a founding member of the quartet Robots On Fire . Borrowing freely from the legacies of Albert Ayler or Peter Brötzmann, the Robots deliver high-energy improvisations, tender compositions, and the occasional reworked pop tune. Williams can also be found in The Sorrow And The Pity . Recently Williams has established The Somesuch Music Series for the presentation of new music featuring performances by local and abroad musicians in unique spaces around Vancouver. In addition to his musical pursuits Williams also enjoys being a comedy writer and performer.
THE COMEDY:
Williams' first forays into comedic performance began 17 years ago as a performer in the Canadian Improv Games for three consecutive years. In 1999 Williams was a member of The Vanier Improv Company as led by Michael Nug Nahrgang of Toronto's Nugmutter comedy sketch duo. Darren would return to improv many times over the years, specifically when he moved to Victoria, BC in 2004 and became an active member of ACT!Improv and appeared at the 2004 Victoria Improv Festival. In February 2005 Williams became a core member of the 30 Cent Players Sketch Comedy Troupe which culminated in 2006 appearances at both SketchFest Vancouver, CBC Radio, and the Victoria Fringe Festival. Other projects include writing and performing in the first season of OCTV (Off Centre Television.) Darren Williams remains active as a standup comedian and a writer/performer along with Michael Unger and Jackie Blackmoore as the sketch comedy trio The Skinny . Since their debut at Theatre Under The Gun in March 2006, The Skinny have been causing much undue hilarity with their unique brand of quick paced, stream of conciousness comedy. Recently The Skinny made their international debut with a sold out performance at Chicago SketchFest 2007. Please see The Skinny for more information. Currently Williams resides in Vancouver where he continues his comedic pursuits in addition to being a musician.
