Darren Kramer & DKO Official Website

What’s the difference between a dead snake and a dead trombone player in the middle of the road? The snake was on his way to a gig. Or so the old musician joke goes. But check out the Darren Kramer Organization, a local funk-jazz collective with a trombone player as its founder, and you’ll realize the joke isn’t as funny as it used to be. DKO takes up quite a bit of gig time here in Denver, and rightfully so. Rather than simply throwing horns at a groove, frontman Darren Kramer, formerly of Matchbox Twenty, demonstrates a combination of skill in playing and writing that is more complex than the two-chord Boulder jam-band drivel without being inaccessible or intentionally difficult to understand. Best part is Kramer, a teacher at DU’s Lamont School of Music, surrounds himself with some of Denver’s most legendary players, like the freakishly talented Eric Gunnison on keyboard and Bob Rebholz on the sax. In fact, Eric Marienthal of Chick Corea and Michael Brecker (yes, from Steely Dan) contributed to the latest CD In The Now. Depending on which incarnation of the DKO you catch, the show will range from a blazing quartet to a 10-piece funk-jazz-R&B machine, but you can almost always count on a show loaded with as much talent as any in the history of the scene.
-Jake Schroeder / Frontman of Opie Gone Bad
5280 Magazine CD Review (March 2006 Issue) “Local Cuts with Jake Schroeder”

Trombonist Darren Kramer certainly put a lot of work into this CD. Not only does he lead an exciting octet, two vocalists and a variety of guests, play trombone and contribute all of the compositions and lyrics, but he arranged the music too. Most of the arrangements are very orchestral, complex, episodic and dramatic. The music is funky but filled with dynamic jazz solos and never predictable. Along the way there is one feature apiece for tenors Michael Brecker (the explosive "In The Now") and Rick Margitza ("Ballade") and altoist Eric Marienthal ("Contingency"), a three-part "Latin Suite," occasional vocal pieces for the powerful voices of Diana Wood and Jym Britton, an amusing talking/rap number "It's OK to OD on DKO" (Darren Kramer Organization), an inventive use of electronics and plenty of space for the core band to stretch out. Among the key sidemen are trumpeter Dawn Kramer, Bob Rebholz on tenor and alto, and keyboardist Eric Gunnison. Overall this is a very impressive effort that is full of colorful surprises and high-quality playing.
-Scott Yanow
Los Angeles Jazz Scene Magazine (Feb 2006 Issue)

The 2004 ITG conference closed with an exhilarating performance by the Darren Kramer Organization at the Marriott Hotel. A former Matchbox Twenty member, Darren Kramer’s biography states that he has proven to be an innovative and talented young musician. His performance wrapping up ITG 2004 cemented this statement as those in attendance can attest. The Darren Kramer Organization performed an eclectic concert of original funk, jazz, and Latin music all with a new flavor that gives the DKO its own exciting niche. Truly the comparisons to The Chick Corea Elektric Band and The Brecker Brothers are well founded and just. What a thrill to unwind and to hear such a fresh sound!
-David Montgomery
Int’l Tpt Guild Reporter

From www.CDBABY.com about DKO “In The Now” CD:

Great Multicultural Sounds and AWESOME Musicianship! It's always great to see the "Rodney Dangerfield" of the music world in the spotlight! All the best to you DKO!!!!
-Paul Mundo

Awesome! This CD smokes from beginning to end. The horms are unstoppable and Brecker is a master musician as always...
-Tony Exum Jr. – AP records recording artist

I enjoyed the CD. I enjoyed the CD. Michael Brecker, you are special person!! And also Rick Margitza too.
-Ryutaro Kawakami

Wowie! Fantastic music from a fantastic composer. The second track will blow you away - I've never heard anything like it. Thanks for another great release DKO!
-Jeff Malek

From www.CDBABY.com about DKO “Quench” CD:

Awesome harmonies and tight horn work! DKO has revolutionized the trombone in pop oriented music.!!!!
- Paul Mundo

Darren Kramer has revolutionized music for me- "Music is Fun!" Quench illustrates the power of music and reinforces what Darren Kramer teaches: "Music is Fun!"
-Ted Long

This cd is now one of my favorites. Great band, great music. Seen the band live and loved it.
-HS

These guys kick ass. So very professional... and gets them bodies groovin! My personal favorite is Quench! you gotta get some! UH!
-Pete lewis

Recently heard Darren Kramer play - fell in love and ready to leave husband ;-)
-E Callahan

WOW! Over the Top, high quality recording! Great Horn Section!
-D. Tomas

Great new sound - original & tasteful - very clean sounding horns and vocals.
-David Meyers

From www.CDBABY.com about DKO “The Darren Kramer Organization” Debut CD:

It is very exciting music. DKO is very exciting and COOL!
-Ryutaro Kawakami

Great band, great sound and energy, recommend the CD, AND if possible seeing them live (its even better), one of my favorite cd's
-HS

AWESOME!!!
-B. Silva

Great! Very exciting and new sounding music. Love to hear the band live sometime. Nice job!
-Joe Smith