“magisterial... stellar…”
                    - Geoff Chapman, Strands CD review in CODA magazine Jan/Feb 2008

 “His light upper register imbues his instrument with a  melodic grace that it possesses in the hands of few players”
                    - Stuart Broomer, Toronto Life magazine Jan 2008

 “The beauty of Sigesmund’s tone and the agility of his technique led to a subtlety in his improvising, which went beyond good chops and good schooling to genuine communication.”  
                     - Steve Pedersen,  Halifax Chronicle Herald, Nov 2005

With the international & national release of his recording, Strands (TIMELY MANOR), Toronto trombonist Darren Sigesmund continues to establish his quintet as a leading contemporary Canadian jazz ensemble with international credentials. Sigesmund is promoting Strands on tours across Canada with support from the Canada Council for the Arts (Jan. 31 – February 23 2008), and a recent tour across Asia & Australia with support from Canadian Foreign Affairs & International Trade (October 2007).

Strands -- a contemporary blend of jazz, Latin and classical influences -- features compositions by Sigesmund that have been showcased across Canada and at festivals and clubs throughout Australia and Asia since 2004. The Darren Sigesmund Quintet band features award-winning musicians who share a unique musical chemistry as expressed through the music in Strands. This leading contemporary Canadian ensemble has garnered national and international credentials through past performances in Japan Expo 2005, the Canadian Embassy Theatre in Tokyo, premiere clubs throughout Australia, South Korea’s Jarasum International Jazz Festival, Shanghai’s renowned club JZ, Hong Kong’s historic Loke Yew Hall, the Canadian National Library Theatre and the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival. The quintet features tenorman Quinsin Nachoff, guitarist Reg Schwager, bassist Jim Vivian, and drummer Anthony Michelli.
 
Rolling Stones’ Saxophonist, Tim Ries, endorses Strands for its “incredibly well crafted pieces [and] fantastic vehicles for improvisational exploration… I give my highest recommendation.”

Darren has studied and performed at the internationally renowned Banff Jazz Workshop with acclaimed artists, such as Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Julian Priester, Richie Beirach, Dave Liebman, Steve Coleman, Don Thompson, Pat Labarbara, and Hugh Fraser. On trombone, Darren has studied trombone with Michael Davis (New York), Ian McDougall (University of Victoria), Jerry Johnson (Stratford Festival) and Gord Sweeny (Toronto Symphony). Since attending the University of Toronto for Jazz Performance, Darren has honed his composition skills under the tutelage of Toronto instructor Frank Falco.