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.

April is Jazz Appreciation Month


Featured Image: Nils Schirmer on Unsplash

April was designated as Jazz Appreciation Month starting in 2001 by John Edward Hasse, the curator of the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution. Jazz Appreciation Month is an extension of Jazz Awareness Month, introduced by the Louisiana Jazz Federation in New Orleans in 1980. Schools, libraries, community organizations and other groups currently offer free educational programs and events to promote jazz awareness. Trumpeter Miles Davis is featured on the poster for Jazz Appreciation Month in 2023. He was a versatile musician associated with the bebop, cool jazz, and experimental jazz movements.


Jazz is regarded as the first unique style of music to emerge in America. It began in the late 1890s and early 1900s in the African American communities of New Orleans, though it was also influenced by Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. Ragtime, a popular style of music during that time, the blues, and the marches played by brass bands gave rise to a new type of music. Jazz soon became popular in other cities such as Chicago, New York City, and Kansas City. Radio broadcasts and early recordings allowed the music to reach even more listeners.


Jazz has helped to promote cultural and racial diversity and equality. The popularity of jazz during the 1920s and 1930s brought people of various ethnic backgrounds together, and many jazz musicians became familiar and respected figures in America and overseas. Jazz embodies the American ideals of freedom of expression, creativity, liberation, and diversity. It is associated with the Civil Rights Movement. Jazz has influenced and been influenced by other musical forms, such as rock, hip-hop, blues, and classical music. It has influenced fashion and literary movements as well.


Over the past 100 years, many different styles of jazz have emerged. Traditional, Dixieland, Swing, Big Band, bebop, and cool jazz were part of the first half of the 20th century. During the second half, musicians influenced by rock and rhythm and blues began adding electric piano, organ, guitar and bass guitar to their arrangements. Latin jazz, bossa nova, modal jazz, jazz fusion, avant-garde, modern, and freeform jazz were some of the subgenres to emerge. Jazz continues to evolve, as contemporary musicians compose and play nu jazz, electronica, and acid jazz.


Jazz is popular in many countries. Jazz Appreciation Month culminates with International Jazz Day on April 30. There will be many global live performances to mark the occasion. Jazz fans can check their local news outlets or look online to find events.


There are many ways to observe Jazz Appreciation Month. Revisit your favorite jazz album or jazz standards to evoke mellow moods and treasured memories. Explore new jazz releases or music by artists who seem interesting. Visit Night is Alive’s website for suggestions on new CDs. Read an autobiography by or biography about a famous jazz musician, or watch a movie or documentary about jazz. As the weather gets warmer, consider attending a live concert or jazz festival, or visit a nightclub.


Author: Patricia Martin