An Interview With Dave Darlington

In a career spanning over thirty years, GRAMMY award winner Dave Darlington can proudly attest to being a master of many varied musical styles. With over 1000 album credits to his name, Dave Darlington’s work has touched many lives and garnered much deserved praise in the process. His experience ranges from composing and producing the soundtrack to all six seasons of the groundbreaking HBO series, OZ; to being on the Sonic the Hedgehog production team; contributing to the Free Willy soundtrack; various J-Pop and rock albums; and, of course, jazz, with multiple awards to show for his incredible work and talents.

Now, after mixing & mastering Night is Alive’s newest album, It Takes 3, we were fortunate to be able to sit down with Dave and ask about his illustrious career…

Night is Alive: How did your childhood contribute to the music that you mix today?

Dave Darlington: I was 12 years old when the Beatles were on Ed Sullivan. Like every adult American male, I instantly fell in love. When I went to college, I discovered my passion for jazz music. However, I was a bass player, which was a different world than the music I fell in love with. I knew the symphonic orchestra was not the place for me. My love of jazz music guided the next steps of my musical endeavors, which led to what I do today as a mixer.

NiA: So you switched from a focus in symphonic orchestra to mixing and producing. What exactly contributed to that change?

DD: I got a little recording device and played around with it. I continued to improve with the equipment, so much so that I began working as a part-time programmer for some smaller recording companies. Then I met Jerry Ragavoy, who said he needed an in-house engineer at his recording studio. He took notice of my skills and offered me a job as a house engineer. I took the job from Jerry and began working at his studio. Jerry said that because of the time commitment, I had chosen between playing the bass or engineering. The choice was easy, given that I had contributed to various successful projects from the mixing side.

NiA: What is the difference between the producing side of records and the playing side?

DD: When you’re mixing, you must worry about balancing the elements of the whole song. You must make sure that each instrument is balanced with the other to make it a pleasant listening experience. Balancing all the elements of the piece out is the central part of my job as a mixer, as opposed to someone who is playing.

NiA: What was your favorite part about working on It Takes 3?

DD: Well, I love Harry Allen; he is one of the cats. It’s first-tier when you work with an artist of his caliber. I had never worked with Rossano before, but I had heard about his stunning reputation. That combination turned out to be really musical. My favorite part was just listening to the music come together by two remarkable, talented individuals. And Bryan [Carter] is a gem! He is the consummate pro and always asks my opinion before making adjustments. Musically, he is world-class.

NiA: What should listeners expect to hear from It Takes 3?

DD: There is a warm envelopment of sound, and Harry tells the story of the song. There are fireworks moments where you see how good these musicians are. However, the most crucial aspect for listeners is not necessarily how good the musicians are. The most critical element is having a beautiful melody. You want something that listeners want to listen to more of. To accomplish this, you need to have a melody that the listener can get lost in.

That is where my job as a mixer is important because I need to balance all the elements to create this melody. I think we did a good job on the ‘It Takes 3’ trio of balancing those elements to create a melody that leaves the listener wanting more.

It Takes 3 is available now! Be sure to order your copy today.

Are there any female jazz producers?

Although there are many famous female singers and performers, there are very few women behind the mixing console. According to BBC, more than 95% of record producers and sound engineers are men. This may be because the industry has a “boys club” atmosphere and many women are not inclined to pursue such a demanding career while also trying to raise a family. Yet, there are still some women who have risen to the challenge and succeed as jazz producers. Today we’re here to recognize these badass women who are making moves in today’s day and age!

Amy Denio – Seattle, WA 

Amy Denio is an award-winning composer and producer who was inducted into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame in March 2015. Not only has she produced over 50 releases, but she is also able to play the guitar, bass, alto sax, clarinet, accordion, and she can sing four octaves! In 1986, Denio founded her own record label and publishing company, Spoot Music, and has since collaborated with musicians from all over the world—Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, India, Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina just to name a few. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Denio has been working on her “Corona Sonora” series, which consists of a wide variety of compositions that musically interpret the death and infection tolls in cities where Denio has previously resided.  

Yoshie Nakayama – Los Angeles, CA

A graduate of the Kunitachi College of Music and the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Yoshie Nakayma is a producer, trombonist, arranger, composer, singer and educator who specializes in jazzy a-cappella productions. Her creative vision is wide-ranging, including traditional Japanese songs, jazz big band, orchestra, Motown and more. She has contributed to over 400 recordings, worked with great mentors like Billy Bob Thorton and Alejandro Sanz, and she is the official arranger of the UNIVOZ Vocal Ensemble. Currently, Nakayama is working as one of the founders of the global initiative, Songs for World Peace, which promotes peace through the power of music. 

Kristina Koller – New York City, NY

Kristina Koller was exposed to a vast array of music and dance during her childhood outside of New York City, which led her to pursue jazz music, solo performance and formal music education at The City College of New York. Using her four-octave vocals, Koller creates powerful songs that project empowerment through self-discovery and awareness. And not only is she a professional vocalist, but Koller is also currently producing a synth pop record. As a producer, she specializes in transforming jazz standards into contemporary arrangements by using elements of R&B, pop and rock. 

Suzana Laşcu – Rotterdam, Netherlands

A graduate of Prins Claus Conservatorium and Codarts University, Suzana Laşcu is a performer, poet and composer who specializes in producing and curating sonic content. Her work aims to address all that permeates culture and is thus very transdisciplinary in nature, weaving across multiple genres—jazz, experimental, acoustic and electronic. Laşcu takes a non-traditional approach to music by incorporating extended techniques, spoken word and non-temperate sound producing effects. Currently, in 2021, she has begun broadcasting her most recent works on Radio WORM in Rotterdam. 

Kathy Salem – Cleveland, Ohio

As the founder and managing director of the jazz booking agency Night is Alive, Kathy Salem produces classical and jazz concerts worldwide with the goal of widening the influence of jazz music. Music has always held a sacred place in Salem’s heart: she played piano as a child, taught herself to read music in church and studied classic music formally for five years. Now, with Night is Alive, Salem represents some of the most talented and distinguished artists in the industry, such as Willie Jones III, Bill Cunliffe, Jeff Rupert and Donald Vega. She also offers academic scholarships to emerging musicians who are still attending college, which will foster a. love for jazz music in the next generation. Most recently, Salem produced the 2021 album, Cryin’ In My Whiskey, which infuses classic country hits with a jazz twist and features the vocals of Janis Siegel and piano of John di Martino. 

Cryin’ In My Whiskey is available in our store now and on all major music platforms. 

This post was written by Blog Editor, Jacqueline Knirnschild.