Available NOW!
FEATURING Michael Brecker Rick Margitza Eric Marienthal
QUOTES
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DKO is one of the most polished and exciting
bands I have ever heard in this genre. Their enthusiasm is overwhelming and
inspirational. Great charts and wonderful performances from everyone in the
group!
-Randy Brecker / The Brecker Brothers
There's no question that a lot of time has been put into this project.
This is high-class "fusion" at its best with a lot of heart and true
human energy...authentic grooves, great solos and ensemble work, and
Darren...you sound very good on that impossible instrument!
-Dave Liebman / World-renowned Jazz Saxophonist, Composer & Educator
DKO has its own vibe!!! Excellent writing, soloing
and ensemble playing. Congratulations Darren! It's great to hear a band with
a fabulous horn section...but of course I'm partial!
-David Garibaldi / Tower of Power
Darren's compositions are the perfect balance
of emotion and intellect...they stir deep feelings as they simultaneously
challenge your mind...both as a player and as a listener!
-Rick Margitza / Miles Davis / Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra
Darren,
Your CD "In The Now" sounds very good indeed. Great playing and
writing... interesting textures and sounds. Keep up the good work!
-Bob Mintzer
/ Yellowjackets / Grammy Award - winning
Arranger / Saxophonist
It's quite an operation you have going. Very
ambitious! The tunes are clever, well-arranged and certainly well-played by
everyone. I am more than impressed by it all!
-Bobby Shew / World-Renowned Trumpet Artist & Clinician
Darren, What an amazing CD, you've really topped
yourself with "In The Now". Wow, great writing, incredible performances
and kudos to the production as it is 1st rate and very creative. There are
so many highlights, I can't say enough about it.! I love "In the Now"
Part II, the ballad with Margitza, "I'm Sorry" has great vocals
and wild vocal line and harmony. All the brass playing is stellar and you
have a wonderful rhythm section. Congratulations to the whole band and especially
you…This is the next Tower of Power, Blood Sweat & Tears, Chicago,
and Cold Blood rolled into one! Oh, I forgot, Latin Suite, great stuff. I
love the naked trumpet stabs followed by the trombone entrances. Also, your
opening performance on the ballad is just beautiful. 10 Stars!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Gary Lindsay / University of Miami Jazz Faculty
Darren Kramer is a rare mix of great trombone
playing, fine composing/arranging abilities, and wonderful leadership skills.
It's no wonder that hi s DKO is so successful. Darren has a giant tone, great
chops and a gift for the melodic line. Wrap all of that up into a down-home
knowledge of funk and you have a potent talent indeed! I really enjoy hearing
the trombone in such a prominent spotlight on his DKO projects. Bravo!
-Steve Wiest / Maynard Ferguson / Edwards Trombone Performing Artist
I just wanted to say what a pleasure it was to
hear DKO at the 2005 IAJE. It really was one of the best groups I heard while
at the conference. The crispness, passion, and musicality of the group is
top notch along with your writing. Anyway, I picked up your two CDs out there
and am hoping the new cd will be coming out very soon. Best of luck and hopefully
I will get the chance to see the group again sometime in the near future.
-Claude Askew / Former Airmen of Note Drummer (21 years)
Way to go on the latest CD!!!!! I've had the
chance to listen to it a couple of times now - the tunes are great, wonderful
writing, and incredible playing all around. I'm really happy for you and all
your accomplishments!!! Looking forward to seeing you and the band soon.
-Steve Roach, Director of Jazz Studies CSU Sacramento
Thank you so much for sending out a copy of your
cd "Quench." I am honored to be a part of such an amazing project.
It is sooooo good! You have so much creativity and imagination and this cd
really represents your ability to bring all the right aspects together for
a perfected, exhilarating sound. Wow!! You go boy! I'm so impressed. Thank
you!
-Ann Sabra, Guest Vocalist on "Regret" from DKO Quench!
You deserve to be hanging with all those guys...making
big records and making big bucks. You are the real deal!
-Jerry Lopez, Guitarist/Vocalist with Clint Holmes, Bill Champlin,
Ricky Martin, etc.
So let me say, your concert was by far the best
jazz show in Denver. It was rehearsed and was just great. I hope to see you
guys play again sometime soon!
-Jeff Wohlbach, Music Educator
Just want you to know that I think both your
albums are extremely good.
I must say I have found a new horn hero (the old being Seawind Horns and T.O.P.
) Looking forward to new releases !
Kai Roger Johansen, DKO Fan from Norway
I've been listening to the CD quite a lot over
the past week --- wow, when you decide to take on a project you don't leave
many stones unturned do you!!! These arrangements are very dense and complicated
and the mix is very intricate as well. Lots of things happening on lots of
levels -- very impressive. Obviously a lot of care and hard work went into
this project -- hearty congratulations to you and Brian and everyone involved.
Efforts as ambitious as this CD are fairly rare. You have more energy and
dedication than just about anyone, but I know it takes help from lots of places
to make it all happen.
-Curt Pleiss / Engineer
Your trombone playing is great - very imaginative
and different. You use the horn in ways that suit it (and the music) naturally,
instead of trying to sound like a typical sax player (although there were
a few places where you did an excellent David Sanborn imitation:). But that's
totally a compliment:) I'd love to hear you on a straight-ahead gig. And that
last tune - the latin/rock/ballad. What a great tune to finish the cd with.
Totally freaking cooking!!! Of course your musicians are all smokin. I really
dug the guitar player. I'm not a sound engineer type (just now amassing a
collection of stuff to start live recording my bands, etc) but it's obvious
to my ears that the concept of sound you have is great - the cd literally
bursts from the player with absolutely no harsh edges. So, when's the next
one due out? :))
-Jerry O'Sullivan / DKO Fan
I've been listening to your new cd "In The
Now". You've done a phenomenal job! The production is great - very slick.
My favorite tunes would have to be the whole "Latin Suite". Great
grooves - the band is so tight. The horns sound awesome and you're nailing
it. Congratulations Darren! I hope this cd goes really well for you. It deserves
to. There's some seriously good playing on "Quench!" too. The horn
stuff on the first and last tracks rock. and I love that tbn/tpt sound on
"Not Far From Here". I'm already looking forward to your straight-ahead
jazz CD.
Cameron Pearce / Jazz Trumpet Instructor Christchurch Jazz School
(NZ)
Congratulations!! I heard some of the tracks
on the web - you're kicking but, man! I'll send you a check for the latest
CD. Let me know if you are coming to Florida or anywhere in the southeast.
-Kelly Milan / Professional Trombonist
Just a short note on what a fabulous job Saturday
night. The caliber of musicians was just way over the top. Keep up the good
work.
-Ken Miller / Music Store Owner
Very nice meeting you and checking out the band
last night. Very smokin'- as advertised. I do believe you are leading the
heaviest unit in town at the moment! I really look forward to playing with
you sometime.
-Joe Gamble / Professional Guitarist
I just wanted to let you know that I caught your
show at Herbs a couple
weeks ago and it was great!
-Trish Slack / Wellness Supervisor of Denver Broncos Sports Medicine
"David and I were able to attend
the concert last night (at DU). Your arrangement of "Secret Love" sounded
great, and your playing was out of sight. I hope Miles (Fielder) gets to your
level some day."
Cathy Colby
Mother of Miles Fielder (former trombone student)
"I enjoyed your group at Dazzle on Wednesday!"
Mark Dorn
Music Educator
"Your new website is AWESOME! I made my whole office listen just now as we
entered your site."
John Evans
Saxophonist in local funk band HomeSlice.