RedWine
08-17-2006, 10:55 AM
Darren Motamedy was born in 1959 in Los Angeles, California and is of Iranian and German French-Irish decent. It was not until 1968 while living in Taiwan that Motamedy first realized that he was intrigued with music. "One of my classmates offered to play his clarinet for our class during show and tell when I was in the fourth grade," Motamedy reminisces. "He squeaked and squawked, and captivated our entire class’s attention with his song. I knew that I wanted to be able to one day play like him."
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/5821/dmtf8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
It was not until 1969 that Darren’s family moved from Taiwan to Kent, Washington, a suburb of Seattle, that his dream of playing the clarinet would come true. Darren played in the school band and also studied privately. "I remember coming home from school everyday, practicing, practicing, practicing, while my friends were out playing football. At the time I wanted to be with them, however those hours of playing really set the foundation of basic skills that one needs to perform successfully."
Darren auditioned on his clarinet for his high school jazz band, "But my teacher gave me a choice which was to completely change my course as a musician." He said, "You can audition next year on the saxophone, or you cannot be in jazz band." "In hindsight, my director did me a huge favor," recalls Darren. He was able to continue his studies in symphonic band on the clarinet, and begin his venture into jazz. He started playing jazz with a 1920’s silver "Holton" alto saxophone, one that he still owns and treasures to this day.
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8133/dscf5083rg4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
High school band and jazz ensemble were only part of Darren’s musical education. "I joined a funk-rock band during my junior year and a whole new world of music and excitement were opened to me." Darren’s extra-curricular bands continued throughout high school and into college.
Motamedy elected to focus his energy playing the saxophone, clarinet, and flute at Central Washington University, a school renowned for its extensive music department. He continued studying the clarinet with one of America’s premier clarinetist’s, "Raymond Wheeler," and continued to refine his jazz abilities with National Jazz Educator "John Moawad." "During this period of my life I was in every musical ensemble available. I played orchestra to pep band, symphonic wind ensemble to jazz band, super sax ensembles, private lessons, orchestra pit shows, basketball band, and chamber music, I did it all," exclaims Darren. Darren not only received the music departments prestigious "Presser Scholarship" but also graduated with a degree in Music Education. "I cherish the fact that I am able to inspire other students as my teachers inspired me" and "Musicians are always giving and this is just another avenue for me," Darren passionately explains.
Motamedy has thrilled his audiences with his music. His first two CD's while leading, writing, and performing with his group first group "Mottoretti" achieved national success, landing spots on the "AC" charts and the "Jazz" charts as well. In 1995, his solo CD and career were launched with his third album "Dangerously Close". This album won the "Best Jazz Album" of the year category with Seattle Based KUBE radio station. Soon after the release of "Dangerously Close", Motamedy was on the road opening for such acts as "Ce Ce Penniston", "Deneice Williams", and "Big Bad Voodoo Daddy". "Peace" was Motamedy's follow up recording of Holiday Classics, and finally in 1999 Motamedy released "It's All Good". "It's All Good" was a culmination of great songs, excellent production featuring "Kenny G's" rhythm section, phenomenal art and design, and an "enhanced CD" that features an eleven minute video with Motamedy. This CD also won the 1999 "Jazz Album" of the year with the extra bonus of taking home the trophy over jazz greats "Dianne Shuur and Kenny G".
"It's All Good" helped Motamedy to be the ambassador of music to Taiwan during the 2000 Northwest Culture Celebration in Taipei Taiwan. While on this cultural tour to Taiwan, Motamedy met John Sarich, executive chef at Chateu St. Michelle wineries in Seattle. Sarich was taken with Motamedy's skill on the saxophone and encouraged him to write a theme song for Sarich's up and coming television show "The Best of Taste". Motamedy did just what John had asked him to do, and every week 40,000 listeners are treated to "The Best of Taste" theme music on Sarich's cooking show.
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3712/sopranopromocj5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
"The Best of Taste" theme music is just one of eleven new songs that make up Motamedy's 2002 release "Relax Your Mind". Also featured on this new record is a fantastic rendition of "Yesterday" by the Beattle's and "The World is a Ghetto" by War along with nine other originals by Motamedy. "Relax Your Mind" hits the jazz markets Feb. 14, 2002! Saxophonist Motamedy hits the streets soon after with this winner set of music!
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/5821/dmtf8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
It was not until 1969 that Darren’s family moved from Taiwan to Kent, Washington, a suburb of Seattle, that his dream of playing the clarinet would come true. Darren played in the school band and also studied privately. "I remember coming home from school everyday, practicing, practicing, practicing, while my friends were out playing football. At the time I wanted to be with them, however those hours of playing really set the foundation of basic skills that one needs to perform successfully."
Darren auditioned on his clarinet for his high school jazz band, "But my teacher gave me a choice which was to completely change my course as a musician." He said, "You can audition next year on the saxophone, or you cannot be in jazz band." "In hindsight, my director did me a huge favor," recalls Darren. He was able to continue his studies in symphonic band on the clarinet, and begin his venture into jazz. He started playing jazz with a 1920’s silver "Holton" alto saxophone, one that he still owns and treasures to this day.
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8133/dscf5083rg4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
High school band and jazz ensemble were only part of Darren’s musical education. "I joined a funk-rock band during my junior year and a whole new world of music and excitement were opened to me." Darren’s extra-curricular bands continued throughout high school and into college.
Motamedy elected to focus his energy playing the saxophone, clarinet, and flute at Central Washington University, a school renowned for its extensive music department. He continued studying the clarinet with one of America’s premier clarinetist’s, "Raymond Wheeler," and continued to refine his jazz abilities with National Jazz Educator "John Moawad." "During this period of my life I was in every musical ensemble available. I played orchestra to pep band, symphonic wind ensemble to jazz band, super sax ensembles, private lessons, orchestra pit shows, basketball band, and chamber music, I did it all," exclaims Darren. Darren not only received the music departments prestigious "Presser Scholarship" but also graduated with a degree in Music Education. "I cherish the fact that I am able to inspire other students as my teachers inspired me" and "Musicians are always giving and this is just another avenue for me," Darren passionately explains.
Motamedy has thrilled his audiences with his music. His first two CD's while leading, writing, and performing with his group first group "Mottoretti" achieved national success, landing spots on the "AC" charts and the "Jazz" charts as well. In 1995, his solo CD and career were launched with his third album "Dangerously Close". This album won the "Best Jazz Album" of the year category with Seattle Based KUBE radio station. Soon after the release of "Dangerously Close", Motamedy was on the road opening for such acts as "Ce Ce Penniston", "Deneice Williams", and "Big Bad Voodoo Daddy". "Peace" was Motamedy's follow up recording of Holiday Classics, and finally in 1999 Motamedy released "It's All Good". "It's All Good" was a culmination of great songs, excellent production featuring "Kenny G's" rhythm section, phenomenal art and design, and an "enhanced CD" that features an eleven minute video with Motamedy. This CD also won the 1999 "Jazz Album" of the year with the extra bonus of taking home the trophy over jazz greats "Dianne Shuur and Kenny G".
"It's All Good" helped Motamedy to be the ambassador of music to Taiwan during the 2000 Northwest Culture Celebration in Taipei Taiwan. While on this cultural tour to Taiwan, Motamedy met John Sarich, executive chef at Chateu St. Michelle wineries in Seattle. Sarich was taken with Motamedy's skill on the saxophone and encouraged him to write a theme song for Sarich's up and coming television show "The Best of Taste". Motamedy did just what John had asked him to do, and every week 40,000 listeners are treated to "The Best of Taste" theme music on Sarich's cooking show.
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3712/sopranopromocj5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
"The Best of Taste" theme music is just one of eleven new songs that make up Motamedy's 2002 release "Relax Your Mind". Also featured on this new record is a fantastic rendition of "Yesterday" by the Beattle's and "The World is a Ghetto" by War along with nine other originals by Motamedy. "Relax Your Mind" hits the jazz markets Feb. 14, 2002! Saxophonist Motamedy hits the streets soon after with this winner set of music!