Saxophonist and composer Darren Williams pushes the limits of improvisation and extended instrumental technique into regions that are “melodic, dark, dramatic, with a sweep and a grace that is almost classical while firmly grounded in post-Coltrane traditions” (David Keenan, Volcanic Tongue, The Wire). 

 

Darren has toured across Canada, having performed with many internationally celebrated musicians including Juno award winning guitarist Gordon Grdina (Canada), Chris Corsano (USA), Mats Gustafsson (Sweden), and Han Bennink (Netherlands.)  For over two decades Williams has enjoyed a semi-regular collaboration with guitarist/banjoist Eugene Chadbourne (USA), being featured on Chadbourne’s 2011 album Stop Snoring.  Williams is involved in numerous ensembles and projects, notably as one third of the Branchroot Ensemble which released their debut album Far From the Tree in 2023, as well as co-leading the free jazz quintet Robots On Fire which performed at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival.  In 2013 Williams released his critically acclaimed solo album Reed on Bug Incision Records and a second solo album entitled Musical Idiot on The Infidels Jazz label in 2024.  Both albums are collections of original works by Williams for unaccompanied tenor saxophone; intersecting composition, improvisation, extended instrumental technique, and physical endurance. 

 

Darren is also co-director of the Skin And Bones Music Series, an Okanagan Arts Award nominated concert series dedicated to the presentation of experimental music in the Kelowna, BC, performed by artists both local and abroad.  Williams holds a BFA in music performance from York University and has studied with Casey Sokol, David Mott, Craig Thomson, George Lewis, and François Houle.