Kim Darwin is a master on the accordion as well as an accomplished pianist and composer. As a versatile freelance musician, Kim has enjoyed a rich and varied career. He has maintained a passion for modern and avant-garde Jazz, and continues to explore and push the boundaries of Jazz improvisation.
Kim has recently returned to his musical roots as an accordionist. In addition to his work with the celtic/fusion band Jaiya, he is now writing and recording music featuring the accordion in varied musical settings. He plays regularly with the Saul Berson Jazz Quartet, an unusual combination of sax, accordion, guitar and acoustic bass. The Canada Council for the Arts has recognized Kim's talent as a composer and performer by awarding him a Specialized Music Sound Recording grant. With the Canada Council's support Kim released his first solo album, Accordion Nights in 2004. Accordion Nights has been nominated for Best Solo Instrumental Album for the 2006 JPF awards.
Kim Darwin - Bio
Kim Darwin is a masterful accordionist as well as an accomplished pianist and composer. Kim first learned to improvise on the accordion. Upon entering university at 16, he turned to piano and composition, earning a Bachelor of Music Degree in Composition from the University of British Columbia.
As a versatile freelance pianist and accordionist, Kim has enjoyed a rich and varied musical career. He has taught hundreds of students privately, in master classes and at the college level. He has played in Big Band ensembles with bandleaders such as Bobby Hales and Dal Richards and also directed show bands backing up Hollywood acts. Kim has been a member of numerous Jazz ensembles and has regularly played piano in professional music theatre productions. An adept vocal accompanist, Kim worked for years as a pianist with the Variety department of the CBC. Kim was a founding member of the Durmen, where his uniquely humorous, virtuoso and engaging style of composing emerged. He has maintained a passion for modern and avant-garde Jazz, and continues to explore and push the boundaries of Jazz improvisation.
Kim has recently returned to his musical roots. In addition to his work with the celtic/fusion band Jaiya, he is now writing and recording music featuring the accordion in varied musical settings. He plays regularly with the Saul Berson Jazz Quartet, an unusual combination of sax, accordion, guitar and acoustic bass. The Canada Council for the Arts has recognized Kim's talent as a composer and performer by awarding him a Specialized Music Sound Recording grant. With the Canada Council's support Kim released his first solo album, Accordion Nights in 2004. Accordion Nights was nominated as Best Solo Instrumental Album for the 2006 JPF awards.