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Darryl Tookes Band

About Me


Along with Darryl Tookes on piano and vocals, the members of the Darryl Tookes Band are Rodolfo Zuñigá on drums, Jean Caze on trumpet, Dave Fernandez on Saxophone, Rolando Grooscors on guitar, and Mike Bordelon on upright bass.
Tookes has seven releases as a leader. In 1989, his first single release, "Lifeguard," was a top 3 song on Billboard. His recordings are Rendezvous, Travels of an Ordinary Man, New England Morning, Red Bird, Babies and Balloons, and Journey to the Hieros Gamos.
Of his new band, Tookes says, "These musicians are the answer to my 30 year search. I'm fortunate to be working with each of them. We really enjoy playing together."
Darryl Tookes has performed at Carnegie Hall with Roberta Flack, recorded and toured with Sting, with Leonard Bernstein conducting West Side Story, and at the White House for President Bill Clinton.
Tookes has worked with producers Quincy Jones, Phil Ramone, Dave Grusin, and Arif Mardin, as well as with artists George Benson, Aretha Franklin, Laurie Anderson, Carly Simon, Luther Vandross, Gerry Mulligan, Patricia Kaas, Elton John, Diana Ross, Juan Gabriel and many others.
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Darryl Tookes Band - But Not For Me

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Member Since: 12/07/2006
Band Website: www.darryltookes.com
Band Members: Darryl Tookes Band : Darryl Tookes - Piano & Vocals • Rolando Grooscors - Guitar • Rodolfo Zuñigá - Drums • Mike Bordelon - Bass • Jean Caze - Trumpet • Dave Fernandez - Saxophone •
Influences: DARRYL TOOKES was inspired by his mother, grandmother, and aunt – all of whom were accomplished musicians and singers.

Tookes also credits his teachers with helping him to discover himself as an artist. Especially Mrs. Johnnie Lee who taught him music theory; Ms. Mabel Sherman with whom he learned the Negro Spirituals; Mr. Harry Martinez, who allowed Tookes the freedom to express himself as a young arranger and singer; Mr. Richard Mayo for creating opportunities for Tookes to arrange and perform his original music; and Professor Curtis King, Sr. – with whom Darryl studied voice.

Another prime inspiration for Darryl was the Cannonball Adderley Quintet. Like Tookes, Cannonball and Nat were from Tallahassee, Florida, and their encouragement was an important factor in Darryl's musical evolution. This association led Tookes to a lifetime of listening to Nancy Wilson and her collaborations with Cannonball. Songs like “Never Will I Marry” became the standard for interpretation, and this is where Darryl feels he discovered his inner voice, vocal style and personal delivery.

During his formative years Darryl Tookes was most heavily influenced by Earth, Wind and Fire; and Todd Rundgren with whom he strongly identifies. He is also an enduring fan of prodigious bands that were his childhood idols like Chicago; Steely Dan; and Yes; among others.

Darryl Tookes is a disciple of pianist Oscar Peterson, and considers Keith Jarrett’s “Facing You” a seminal recording which greatly influenced the development of his personal approach. He is a big fan of Miles Davis, and says that hardly a day passes without listening to “Kind Of Blue."

Darryl’s music has been described as “Coplandesque.” He calls Leonard Bernstein his hero, and looks to the sacred songs of Ralph Vaughn Williams with reverence. "Every man prays in his own language, and there is no language that God does not understand." - These words of Duke Ellington seem to sum up Darryl's love of the universal language of music.

Today Darryl finds inspiration working with his band, living life to its fullest, and listening to the music of his children – all of whom are fine artists in their own right.

Sounds Like: Original
Type of Label: Unsigned

My Blog

92nd Street Y Spring Gala - 92nd Street Y - New York, NY

http://www.92y.org/shop/event_detail.asp?productid...
Posted by on Sat, 16 May 2009 07:51:00 GMT

DTB live

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNoglGKkH-Y Where Did I Go Wrong? Jazziz Bistro Seminole Hard Rock Café Hollywood, Florida Solos - Jean Caze (Trumpet) David Fernandez (Soprano Saxop...
Posted by on Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:53:00 GMT

DARRYL TOOKES BAND LIVE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeJee6yVSq4 Jazziz BistroSeminole Hard Rock CaféHollywood, Florida"One Summer Day"Solos - Rolando Grooscors (Guitar)David Fernandez (Tenor Saxophone)2007
Posted by on Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:44:00 GMT

Darryl Tookes Lifeguard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkdeZvKMnfM
Posted by on Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:21:00 GMT

Birth of the Darryl Tookes Band

The Greek term Hieros Gamos means Sacred Marriage in English. The first song explored on Journey to the Hieros Gamos was Champion of Hearts. Tookes chose the song for a number of reasons. He explains,...
Posted by on Wed, 31 Jan 2007 22:29:00 GMT