About Darcy James Argue
Darcy James Argue is one of most talked about musicians in jazz thanks to the phenomenal critical response to Infernal Machines, his 2009 debut recording featuring his 18-piece big band, Secret Society. That response has included a series of features in jazz and non-jazz publications alike, nominations for multiple awards and Infernal Machines‘ presence on more than 70 best-of-the year lists, including Best Debut honors in the prestigious Village Voice Jazz Critics Poll. Argue has further bolstered his growing reputation with high profile concerts in New York as well as Germany, The Netherlands and his native Canada, where he conducted an all-star performance of a specially commissioned piece at the National Jazz Awards.
Argue moved to New York in 2003 after earning a Master’s Degree in Boston while studying with legendary composer/arranger Bob Brookmeyer. He has also studied with Lee Hyla, Randall Woolf, Maria Schneider and John Hollenbeck. Since the debut of Secret Society in 2005, Argue has steadily earned a place among the most visible and respected musicians in New York, and become one of the jazz world’s most influential bloggers. In June 2010, he won both Up & Coming Artist and Large Ensemble of the Year at the Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Awards in New York. A few months later, he topped the Big Band Rising Star, Composer Rising Star and Arranger Rising Star categories in the 2010 DownBeat Critics Poll, while also being recognized in the Jazz Album of the Year and Jazz Artist Rising Star categories.
Featured Discography
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Darcy James Argue, Infernal Machines (New Amsterdam, 2009)
Zeno
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Transit
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Images
Darcy James Argue by Ben Anaman (696 KB)
Darcy James Argue by Lindsay Beyerstein (1.1 MB)
Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society by Lindsay Beyerstein (1.1 MB)
Upcoming Events
08/07 :: Secret Society @ CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival (Newport, RI)
09/22 :: Secret Society @ Iridium Jazz Club (New York, NY)
