About George
George Darrah is a Boston-based composer, drummer, and music educator known for his versatility and passion for working in many different musical genres and settings. An award-winning composer, George has been commissioned to compose for jazz and classical ensembles. He is a dynamic performer in different styles, including jazz trios, be-bop, funk, pop, jazz and big bands. He currently serves on the faculty of Endicott College as professor of percussion teaching lessons, courses and started a percussion ensemble. In addition, he maintains an active studio instructing composition and drum set/percussion.
A graduate of the Eastman School of Music with a Masters degree in Jazz Composition, George studied composition with Bill Dobbins, Dave Rivello, Harold Danko and David Liptak and taught jazz theory and history as a graduate instructor. While at Eastman, he also performed as a drummer for the Eastman Jazz Ensemble. George also attended the University of Tampa as an undergraduate, graduating cum laude with degrees in music and history. He focused on classical percussion and jazz by studying with David Coash. In addition, he studied composition privately with Everett Longstreth (NEC), Gwyneth Walker, and Samuel Adler.
George entered the performance world at the age of 7 with Donn Carr’s “Swing That Music” and began gigging professionally by age 12. He quickly gained a reputation as a solid and creative drummer throughout New England. George’s earliest drum lessons were with Donn Carr, who gave him stage experiences and fostered a creative, musical drummer. Additionally, George studied with Bill Reynolds who developed his classical percussion and jazz drum set skills. By age 14, George served as the principal timpanist for the North Shore Youth Symphony and played drum set regularly with the Dave Whitney Big Band as well as with Bob Batchelder’s Totem Pole Big Band. Bob introduced George to many of New England’s greatest jazz players.
Throughout George’s career, he has composed and arranged music for Makoto Ozone, Dave Liebman, Eddie Daniels and Jane Monheit. He has performed with Dave Liebman, Bill Holmam, Bill Dobbins, Clay Jenkins, Dick Johnson, Al Vega, Dave Whitney, John Clark, Paul Monat, Billy Novick, Wayne Dempsey, George Hargen, Steve Dale, Ray Leach and the Suburbanaires Big Band, The Dick Donovan Big Band, The Everett Longstreth Orchestra, The Civil Disturbance Jazz Band, The Baby Soda Jazz Band (New York City), Gordon Au, and Harold Danko. His most notable performances were on the Today Show with Al Roker and performing for President Barack Obama.
Some recent accomplishments include arranging for Jeff Tyzik and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, receiving two downbeat awards 2017-2018 for Best Arrangements for Studio Orchestra and Big Band and performing at the Rochester Jazz Festival with the Eastman All-Star/ Alumni Big Band. In addition, he was commissioned by Makoto Ozone to write two original compositions for an All-Star Jazz Orchestra for the Tokyo Jazz Fest. George brings a level of professionalism, seriousness, and passion along with musical creativity that is indisputable.