Darden Purcell
Darden Purcell graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Jazz Performance from Virginia Polytechnic and State University (Virginia Tech), where she studied under the direction of Lisanne Lyons and Chip McNeill and performed in some of the finest collegiate ensembles in the country including the Down Beat award winning Jazz Vocal group, "The New Virginians." Darden performed with this group at VMEA (Virginia Music Educators Association), MENC (National Association for Music Education) and can be heard on the "New Virginian's" CD "Evolution." Darden was also the featured soloist with the Virginia Tech Jazz Band, National Anthem soloist at many nationally televised athletic events and a member of the Delta Omicron Music Honor Society.
After graduation, Darden auditioned and was selected for the Washington D.C. based U.S. Air Force Band rock/pop group "High Flight." Darden performed at the United States Capitol, The Pentagon, DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) Constituion Hall and countless Washington D.C./Northern VA/Maryland venues where she entertained military and political dignitaries, including celebrities Steven Spielberg and Ross Perot. Darden can be heard as a soloist and back-up vocalist on the "High Flight" CD "Highlights." With "High Flight," Darden deployed for 21 days overseas to Germany, Kyrgyztan, Pakistan, Oman, and Qatar as part of a troop morale show.
A highlight of Darden's Air Force career was to be chosen to sing back-ups for nationally renowned artists including R&B legend Chaka Kahn, country recording star Bryan White, Janie Frickie, Freda and Sherrie Payne, Gloria Loring, Melba Moore and Rita Coolidge, in the Air Force Band Guest Artist Series. She also performed back-ups for Darlene Love on "The Late Show with David Letterman" in his yearly Christmas tribute to troops overseas.
Darden was also chosen to tour with the U.S. Air Force elite Jazz Big Band, "The Airmen of Note." She was the featured vocalist on the West Coast tour, performing throughout California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada. Ten days after returning to Washington, D.C. from this tour, Darden and "The Note" embarked on Operation Desert Greetings, entertaining troops in Germany, Italy, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrein where Darden sang back-ups for guest artists Lari White and gospel recording star, BeBe Winans. After four years of service, Darden honorably separated from the U.S. Air Force.
After leaving the Air Force, Darden moved to Nashville, Tennessee. In Nashville, Darden gigged and recorded regularly with various area artists. She performed at local hot spots, F. Scott's Restaurant & Jazz Bar, Oktoberfest, the Nashville Jazz Workshop and the Opryland Hotel. Darden also performed on Nashville Public Radio (WPLN) "Live in Studio C" hosted by Will Griffin. In addition to solo performances, Darden was also the alto voice in "3rd Coast Vocals," a four part vocal jazz ensemble. With "3rd Coast Vocals' Darden performed for the NJW/NPT (Nashville Jazz Workshop/Nashville Public Television) joint fundraiser among other engagements. Darden was an vocal educator at Gene Ford Music, the W.O. Smith Community Music School 2007 summer camp (www.wosmith.org) and was a member of the (WMBA) Women's Music Business Association.
Darden currently lives in Champaign, Illinois where she is working on her Masters in Jazz Studies (and is a fellowship recipient) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She continues to gig at many local and regional establishments including The Iron Post, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Jim Gould, The Embassy Tavern, Alto Vineyards, The Jazz Kitchen (Indianapolis, IN) and The Blue Wisp (Cincinnati, OH). She can also be heard in the Jazz/Fusion/Funk Band, "Weapons of Mass DisFunktion and in trombonist Dave Dickey's "C-U Jazz Crusaders." Darden will teach Jazz/Commerical Voice at UIUC beginning Fall 2008.
Discography...
USAF Band, High Flight - "Highlights"
LIfesign - "Upward"
The New Virginians Vocal Jazz Ensemble - "Evolution"
