Hal Darling is a composer who plays drums. He first picked up the sticks at age 6 and in a few years he had developed an attraction for rock music that was complex, influenced by jazz and classical ideas. His high school years were spent playing and writing music that aspired to be something more. He studied with jazz great Ralph Humphrey and studio legend Joe Porcaro at PIT in LA. A search for the perfect gig led to a move to Europe. Upon his return to the US he chose to abandon live work and concentrate on composition.
In December of 1996, Hal released his debut CD to widespread critical acclaim. Comparisons to the music of King Crimson, Frank Zappa, Gentle Giant and the RIO movement were common.
His second effort "D2R" was released in the first quarter of 2003.
Hal hopes to refine his instrumental and compositional experiments in a fashion that will provide the listener with music that is as entertaining as it is challenging.

Similar Artists

Thinking Plague, Rascal Reporters, Bubblemath, Isildur's Bane.

Influences

Igor Stravinsky, King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Frank Zappa, Yes, Art Tatum, Gentle Giant, Don Ellis, Mahavishnu Orchestra, John Zorn, Charles Ives, Beatles, Deep Purple, ELP, Bela Bartok.

Bio



Biography of Hal Darling
Hal Darling is a composer who plays drums. He plays keyboards a little too, as the drums have certain limitations as a medium for composition.
He first picked up the sticks at age six following the examples set by two older brothers. By age thirteen he developed an attraction for rock music that was complex, influenced by jazz and classical ideas. His high school years were spent playing and eventually writing music that was truly awful, - but it aspired to be something more. He went on to study with jazz great Ralph Humphrey and studio legend Joe Porcaro at the Percussion Institute in Los Angeles. A brief stint as a studio drummer was followed by clinical presentations and private teaching. A search for the perfect gig led to a move to Europe, which in turn resulted in his decision to build a studio. Upon his return to the United States he chose to abandon live work and concentrate on composition and recording.
In December of 1996, Hal released his eponymously titled debut to widespread critical acclaim. Comparisons to the music of King Crimson, Frank Zappa, Gentle Giant and the RIO movement were common.
His second effort "D2R" was released in the second quarter of 2003. Hal hopes to refine his instrumental and compositional experiments in a fashion that will provide the listener with music that is as entertaining as it is challenging.

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