Darden Purcell Group

About

DARDEN PURCELL is a Washington D.C. based jazz vocalist. A multi-faceted musician, Ms. Purcell is an active featured soloist with big bands and small ensembles, band leader and vocal instructor. Ms. Purcell has collaborated with many of the world's top jazz artists including Jim Pugh, Chip McNeill, Dana Hall, Don Heitler, Glenn Wilson, Chip Stephens, Jeff Helgesen, Joan Hickey, Larry Gray, Dennis Carroll, Stockton Helbing, Joel Spencer, Darmon Meader, Michelle Weir, Lisanne Lyons, Dave Detwiler, Chris Vadala and The Airmen of Note, </i> performing at concert halls and clubs throughout the nation, including the <i>Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Pops for Champagne (Chicago), The Jazz Kitchen (Indianapolis), The Blue Wisp (Cincinnati) and The Kennedy Center (back-up vocals for Mr. George Benson). Spring, 2012, Ms. Purcell joins the jazz faculty at George Mason University as Area Coordinator and Instructor of Jazz Voice.

Ms. Purcell is a former Washington DC Air Force Band vocalist, winning a slot in the pop/rock group "High Flight." With "High Flight" she performed nationally (US Capitol, Pentagon, Air and Space Museum, DAR and Constitution Hall), as well as internationally, (Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Oman and Qatar) and can be heard as a soloist and back-up vocalist on "High Flight’s" CD, Highlights. A highpoint of Purcell’s Air Force career was touring with the elite jazz band, The Airmen of Note. Purcell was the featured vocalist, touring throughout California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada, as well as performing alongside gospel star BeBe Winans and Lari White for “Operation Desert Greetings,” entertaining troops in Germany, Italy, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain. In addition to being a featured soloist, Ms. Purcell performed back-up vocals, as part of the USAF Band Guest Artist Series, for nationally renowned recording artists, Chaka Khan, Bryan White, Janie Frickie, Freda Payne, Sherrie Payne, Gloria Loring, Melba Moore and Rita Coolidge as well as a nationally televised performance behind Darlene Love on "The Late Show with David Letterman.”

Ms. Purcell received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Vocal Jazz Performance at Virginia Tech, a Master of Music in Jazz Performance at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is currently a Doctoral candidate (ABD status) in Jazz Performance also at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she was awarded a University Fellowship.

November 2009, Ms. Purcell released her debut CD, "Easy Living," on Dallas based record label, Armored Records. "Easy Living" was produced and features Grammy Award-winning saxophonist, Chip McNeill as well as Shawn Purcell (guitar), Chip Stephens (piano), Dennis Carroll (bass) and Stockton Helbing (drums). Easy Living has received national airplay, and continues to be a top seller on CDBaby in the “Jazz,” “Jazz Vocals” and “Vocalese” categories. CDBaby voted "Easy Living" the Jazz Vocal Pick for September 2010. Easy Living can be purchased from Amazon, CDBaby and iTunes.

Personnel

Shawn Purcell: Guitarist

Influences

All of the GREAT jazz vocalists of our time! Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nancy Wilson, Carmen McRae, Anita O'Day, Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Julie London, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Hartman, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Chet Baker, Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Shirley Horn, Sarah Vaughn, Blosson Dearie, Astrud Gilberto, Diane Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diana Krall, Karrin Allyson, Jane Monheit, Roseanna Vitro...and the list goes on and on...

What to Expect

Typical Gig Duration: 45 - 360 minutes

With the Darden Purcell Group, you have many options for your event! From a large dance band with several horns, to an intimate four piece combo, to a guitar/vocal duo or piano/vocal duo, The Darden Purcell Group can accomodate any configuration you need to fit room size and create the appropriate mood for your special event.

When hiring The Darden Purcell Group, be it for an intimate cocktail reception, a concert performance or a steady club date, you can expect the following:

- Outstanding music: the band is first-class. The repertoire is extremely broad and dynamic, with unique arrangements by Darden Purcell and guitarist Shawn Purcell. Darden works with only the top jazz musicians in the country.

- Professionalism: from the booking negotiations to the contract signing to the day of the event, Darden makes sure that your needs (and hers) are clearly defined for a successful endeavor. This can include visits to the site ahead of time, special tune requests (within reason) and any other personal touch the client may require to make their event truly one-of-a kind!

- Well-presented musicians. We are professionals and take great pride in every aspect of the performance!

- Music to take home: CD's can be purchased ahead of time, signed, even individually wrapped for a bulk rate or sold at the performance to guests/club patrons.

Stage/Setup Requirements:
Grounded power

Additional Notes:
All we need is a grounded power source and you can leave the rest up to us!

The Darden Purcell Group provides state-of-the art sound equipment that will be available for your use at any time for toasts, announcements and presentations, with our sound engineer on site at all times to assist you.

Set/Song/Sequence List:
The Darden Purcell Group has an extensive tune list of traditional standard and jazz repertoire. From the classic, "At Last" to the Cole Porter standard "Easy To Love" to Miles Davis' "All Blues." In addition, we will gladly learn a special request or create a special performance, such as highlighting the work of a specific composer/musician/singer. Please visit our website for testimonials, live videos and press/reviews at www.dardenpurcell.com. We take great pride in providing superior musicianship and exceptional client service!

Available for Your

Anniversary Party, Awards Night, Bar/Lounge, Birthday Party, Casino, Club/Nightclub, Concert Venue, Convention, Corporate Event, Cruise, Dinner Dance, Festival, Fundraiser, Grand Opening, Holiday Party, Hotel, Private Party, Restaurant, Studio Session, Wedding Reception

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