Fri Feb 14
"World-class interpreter of lyrics who swings at every tempo"
- Scott Yanow, Jazz journalist, historian and autho
"SLAMMIN record! Sounds fantastic..." - Sean Jones
Darden Purcell is a Washington D.C. based jazz vocalist, featured with symphony
orchestras, big bands and small ensembles and jazz educator. Ms. Purcell has shared
the stage with top jazz artists including Maria Schneider, Eric Alexander, Terell Stafford,
Jim Pugh, Chip McNeill, Alan Baylock, Byron Stripling, Bobby Floyd, The Metropolitan
Jazz Orchestra (Jim Carroll), US Navy Band Commodores, Airmen of Note, US Army
Blues and American Festival Pops Orchestra, performing nationally and internationally,
including Blues Alley, Club Bonafide (NYC), Pops for Champagne, The Jazz Kitchen,
Blue Wisp, the Bop Stop, JazzB (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Aalt Stadhaus (Luxembourg), Wolf
Trap and The Kennedy Center (back-up vocals for Mr. George Benson, Caroline Shaw,
Ben Folds, Sara Bareilles). Dr. Purcell is the Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice
Instructor and Director of the Downbeat Award-winning, Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble at
George Mason University.
Shawn Purcell, originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a jazz guitarist,
educator, arranger, and composer in the Washington DC region. Purcell has shared the
stage, recorded, and/or toured with Pat Bianchi, Terell Stafford, Chris Potter, Sean Jones,
Brian Charette, Regina Carter, The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, The Metropolitan Jazz
Orchestra, Jim Pugh, Chip McNeill, Eddie Daniels, Steve Allee, Stockton Helbing,
Nicholas Payton and many others. He has performed at jazz clubs and festivals nationally
and internationally including: Blues Alley, Smalls, Parker Jazz Club, The Elephant
Room, Monks Jazz, Scat Jazz Lounge, The Jazz Kitchen, The Blue Wisp, The Jazz
Factory, Club Bonafide, JazzB (Sao Paulo, Brazil), DC Jazz Fest, JEN, PASIC, IAJE,
Savannah Jazz Festival, Indy Jazz Fest and Jazz Alive Summer Concert Series.
Darden Purcell - vocals
Shawn Purcell - guitar
tbd - bass
tbd - drums