Darren Sigesmund Sextet

Following up on his 2008 debut quintet CD Strands, Sigesmund released Strands II, nominated for a 2010 JUNO for Best Traditional Jazz Album. Sigesmund received the 2010 Galaxie Rising Star award for Best Composition (“Dance for Leila”) at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.
Acclaimed for its compositional ingenuity, the Strands project consists of Sigesmund’s self-penned compositions, a contemporary blend of jazz, Latin and classical influences. With vigor and flair, Sigesmund weaves the textures of voice and percussion into fresh new compositions for the Strands II recording which features special guest New York saxophonist Tim Ries of the Rolling Stones. Strands II is funded by the Toronto, Ontario and Canada Councils. In April 2011, after a fifth European tour in less than 2 years, Sigesmund self-presented his Strands ensemble in Toronto with special guests New York-based Mark Feldman (violin) and Gary Versace (piano & accordion). Sigesmund is currently working on new compositions for a Strands III recording for the spring of 2012.

Sigesmund has led his Strands project across the globe regularly since 2003, including over 150 concerts and clinics throughout Europe, Asia, Australia & Canada. Past performances include concerts in Madrid, London, Dublin, Brussels, Luxembourg, Berlin, Münich, Nürnberg for German national radio Bayerischer Rundfunk, the Mermaid Arts Centre in Ireland, the Jazz Bar in Edinburgh, Japan Expo 2005, the Canadian Embassy Theatre in Tokyo, premiere clubs across Australia, South Korea’s Jarasum International Jazz Festival, Shanghai’s renowned club JZ, Hong Kong’s historic Loke Yew Hall, and Canadian jazz festivals.

Sigesmund currently teaches piano, trombone and composition at Humber College and privately. He is also an accomplished professional chef, having cooked for several years in some of Toronto’s finest restaurants after his apprenticeship with celebrated chef Michael Stadtlander at Eigensinn Farm.