DARRIAN DOUGLAS
Drums and Cymbals
ABOUT DARRIAN DOUGLAS
Biography
Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Darrian Douglas has established a successful career in jazz music, performing with various groups in both New Orleans and New York City. Under the tutelage of esteemed music educators, including Dr. Perry Combs and Alvin Fielder, Darrian honed his skills and was guided in his musical journey.
In 2007, Darrian relocated to New Orleans, Louisiana where he took over the drum chair in Ellis Marsalis's quartet. He cherished the opportunity to play with Marsalis, stating that it allowed him to grow and experiment musically without any limitations. He continued playing with Marsalis until December 2012.
Darrian is a talented drummer, composer, and bandleader of The Session, a group comprised of musicians he has collaborated with while performing with Jason Marsalis' vibe quartet. He has made a name for himself, performing at over 30 festivals worldwide, and at renowned venues like The Kennedy Center, Herbst Theatre, Saenger Theatre, Aladdin Theater, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, Snug Harbor, Smoke Jazz Club, and Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse.
Throughout his career, Darrian has shared the stage with musical greats such as Wynton Marsalis, Victor Goines, Jazzmeia Horn, Brianna Thomas, and Ellis Marsalis. He has recorded with several artists, including Ellis Marsalis, Greggory Agid, Bria Skonberg, and Jazzmeia Horn to name a few.
In addition to performing, Darrian has a passion for teaching and was a percussion instructor at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. Today, he serves as the Executive Director of the Second Line Arts Collective, a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive music education programming, from recess to record deals. The organization aims to bridge the gap in music instruction by addressing the lack of early music education and career sustainability in the music industry. The collective inspires a love of music and empowers musicians by creating a tight-knit community of artists and industry professionals. Darrian currently resides in New York City, where he continues to pursue his musical career.
Art
The act of creation is at once a daunting and exhilarating endeavor, one that requires delving into the recesses of my very being. I often lament that it is a trial I must confront in order to flourish in this life. My thoughts frequently meander to the mysteries surrounding the divine force that has bestowed upon us this monumental task, and the urgency to accomplish it within the finite boundaries of our mortal lives.