David Darling
1941-2021
From teaching students, to directing orchestras, to performing on stage, David's musical endeavors have touched many. Exploring Jazz, Brazilian, African and Indian music, David's diverse musical expressions ripple unfettered by genre or convention.
As a Grammy Award–winning cellist, composer, teacher, and collaborator, Darling redefined how the cello is played and how music is taught. An innovative improviser, he draws on classical, country, jazz, rock, new age, and world music to create compositions that tap deep into listeners’ souls and through which listeners can bring to life their own stories, meaning, and consciousness.
David’s creative approach centers on deep listening - finding a seed of a musical element on which to build until the composition finds its way into being.
Also informing Darling’s work was his deeply held belief that music is for everyone and is an essential creative expression with social and spiritual power. Throughout his long and varied career, which began in 1966, he inspired thousands through workshops and seminars to explore their musical talents. In 1986 David co-founded Music for People, an international nonprofit network dedicated to teaching and fostering music improvisation as a means of creative self-expression.
Darling’s recordings and achievements are many from his time with the Paul Winter Consort in 1970’s and to his later recordings for the ECM and Hearts of Space Labels. His long time collaborations with producer, Mickey Houlihan on the Wind Over The Earth and Curve Blue labels included projects with writers, dancers, and filmmakers. Darling’s Prayer for Compassion, was the winner of the 2010 Grammy for Best New Age Album.
David Darling's Albums
Reverence
"This album is a sparkling gem, a magical elixir of cello, voice and electronic sound that creates an everchanging meditative soundscape. The poignancy and nostalgia evoked by this music are perfectly counterbalanced with beauty and love. Like a prayer, this music opens a grand space that allows the listener to dwell in the realm of trust and hope."
- Clíodhna Ní Aodáin
Gratitude
“Gratitude glides from playful to poignant to profound, with impeccable musicality and brilliant sound. In his seventh decade, David Darling continues to transform the humblest musical ideas into balm for the spirit. An album to cherish.”
- Stephen Hill, Hearts of Space
Prayer for Compassion
"There is such tenderness here, and majesty and strength. This music is simply a magnificent gift to civilization, one that will outlast us all."
- Coleman Barks
8-String Religion
"In 8 String Religion, David Darling has concocted an elixir of skill, wisdom, love and beauty that is truly nourishment for the soul."
- Ram Dass
Ocean Dreaming Ocean
"On Ocean Dreaming Ocean you can hear that they were brothers in spirit. On this posthumous collaboration, Christian frames Darling's lyrical cello improvisations with airbrush finesse."
- John Diliberto/Echoes
““David Darling played the cello the way Georgia O’Keefe painted mountains; decisive, delicate and dedicated to his truth. He could play joy and grief at the same time, the way they occur in life.” ” - Kate Munger