Song:Transit
Album:Infernal Machines
Composer and bandleader Darcy James Argue made a big splash with this 2009 big band CD. It generated a lot of buzz with jazz critics and was nominated for a Grammy. The music is described as Steampunk Jazz. I'm not sure what that is because the term Steampunk is a literary term. But I guess it's supposed to label Argue's music as experimental. There are obvious influences. Argue was born May 23, 1975 in Vancouver, BC. He moved to the US in 2000 to study at the New England Conservatory Of Music to study composition with legendary jazz trombonist Bob Brookmeyer. He moved to Brooklyn, NY in 2005 and formed the big band Secret Society. The 2009 CD Infernal Machines is his only CD to date. Argue has acknowledged the influence of Maria Schneider's big band but that influence is obvious even if he didn't acknowledge her success. The trumpet solo on Transit is by fellow Canadian Ingrid Jensen who has played with plenty of bands including Maria Schneider's band. As the Wall Street Journal said about Argue's music, this ain't your Grandpa's big band music. Argue has yet to record a second CD but the band still performs mostly in the New York area but they also tour. And he premiered the multimedia production Brooklyn Babylon at the 2011 BAM Next Wave Festival. So he's keeping busy. Here's David James Argue's Secret Society performing Transit on Philadelphia PBS station WHYY's On Canvas Jan. 2010.
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