Teen Jazz March 2007 Artist Influence
Darren Rahn - Saxophonist
By Shannon Kennedy
Name: Darren Rahn
Instrument: Saxophone,
Years Playing: Clarinet since the 4th Grade
Saxophone since the 7th grade
Location: Denver, Colorado
School/Major/Degree: Masters degree from the University of Northern Colorado, Bachelors Degree from Adams State College
Whether he is out on the road touring or in the studio producing a CD for artists like Wayman Tisdale, or even playing with his own band, Darren Rahn is sure to impress. Darren Rahn is quickly breaking into the smooth jazz industry, establishing a name for himself as both a producer and a performer.
Like most musicians, Darren Rahn had humble beginnings. When he wasn’t designing web sites, working at a fast food restaurant, or teaching private lessons, Darren was out playing, practicing, and performing as much as he could. In Darren’s own words, “Every penny I made went into my music and my career.” He is proud to say that he has been working professionally as a full time musician for ten years.
Darren first began playing the clarinet in the fourth grade, then later picked up the saxophone in the sixth grade. In high school, his band director noticed Darren’s passion for music, and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Darren received a great amount of support from his parents to do music, but in the end, it was his own decision to pursue music and he did not give himself the option to fail. In his own words, he had reached “the point of no return”.
Darren has been influenced by many outstanding musicians including; Coltrane, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Stanley Turrentine (whose sound Darren feels has had the most influence on his own), and many more. Other major influences include Roger Greenberg, who taught Rahn classical saxophone in college, and bass playerMel Brown, who Darren claims to be his most influential business model.
So what is Darren Rahn’s secret to success? Well, aside from astounding facility on the saxophone and immense skills as a producer, Darren offers Teen Jazz some insight to other helpful traits he feels has helped along the way. “Image plays an important role in the [music] industry. You want to present yourself in a way that is ‘comfortable’ to other people. People want to see someone who is put together, AND musically put together. I try my best to do that.” But what else? Darren tells Teen Jazz what aspects have his characteristics and personality have played to his advantage. “I have a strong desire to please people. It bothers me when I am unable to meet or exceed someone’s expectations. I do everything at 150%.”
In addition to his current successes, Rahn is already setting goals for the future. What are his future plans? In the immediate future, Darren will be releasing a new album, set for release sometime in 2007. He is writing most of the music for the project and feels that conceptually, it is something that has never been done before. And in years to come, Darren Rahn aspires to win Grammys as both a performer and a produced. He also hopes to reach and share music with as many people as he can.
