BIO:
Darryl Tookes composes, arranges, and performs music in the tradition of his heroes, maestros Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Michel LeGrand, Henry Mancini, Burt Bacharach and Duke Ellington. He composes and sings songs about the things that matter: love, pain, joy, and loyalty. Wrapped in soaring melody and lyrics that go straight to the heart. Uplifting songs that make the spirit soar, romantic songs of loyalty between a man and a woman, haunting songs for the broken hearted, sexy songs that set the feet to dancing, peaceful songs that reassure the spirit, and gentle songs that bring men and women, boys and girls home to the goodness in their hearts.
Maurice Weaver writes, "Commercial jingles writer Tookes displays a knack for romantic phrasing and Johnny Mathis-like mellowness on his first LP. His accessible mood music fits into the playlist of any urban-contemporary, easy-listening or pop station. Tookes sings of unrequited love, past flings in hotspots like Rio De Janeiro, and of personal loss on ``Mama,`` a song of praise acknowledging the love and devotion he shared with his deceased mother. On both ``Lifeguard`` and ``Round and Round,`` he evokes the Luther Vandross feeling of larger-than- life romance, with an accompaniment of strings and seductive female vocals.
With more than twenty years’ experience as a singer, pianist, composer and arranger, Mr. Tookes worked on Sting’s multiple Grammy award winning release Brand New Day and performed with its Europe 2000 tour. He has also worked with Elton John, Leonard Bernstein, Aretha Franklin, Carly Simon, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, Barry Manilow, Quincy Jones, Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, Vanessa Williams, Cristina Aquilera, Dave Grusin, Natalie Cole, Peter, Paul & Mary, George Benson, Gerry Mulligan, Nancy Wilson, Burt Bacharach, Dave Valentin, Vaneese Thomas, Korn, Luther Vandross, Toninho Horta, Darlene Love, Lionel Ritchie, Maya Angelou, Maxi Priest, Dionne Warwick, Carmen McRae, Hubert Laws, Laurie Anderson, Al Jarreau, Jewel, Teddy Pendergrass, Deniece Williams, Jennifer Holliday, and many others.
Mr. Tookes was the pianist and musical director for In Performance at the White House–The Singer and the Song, a PBS Special. President Clinton personally congratulated him on the new life his arrangement brought to George and Ira Gershwin’s “Fascinatin’ Rhythm.” That same year, he toured and recorded with Nile Rogers and Chic and recorded the sacred gospel epic Revelation with Judith Jameson for the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. Darryl has sung in Spanish with Mexico’s legendary Juan Gabriel, in French with superstar Patricia Kaas, and in Japanese with jazz great Katsumi Horii.
His television credits include the theme from The Guiding Light, his duet with Diva Gray, “Hold On To Love.” He has appeared on The David Letterman Show, Live with Regis and Kathy Lee, Saturday Night Live, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, and a variety of television entertainment programs. His voice is also a favorite among Sesame Street fans. He also has the distinction of singing on two Grammy Award winning West Side Story albums, one, the last produced by Leonard Bernstein; the other produced by Dave Grusin.
MUSIC LINK:
Darryl Tookes' album cover leads contains a youtube link to his hit single, "Rio"! It's been almost 30 years since the release of Darryl's first album. With Rio de Janeiro, Brazil being the basic tracking of the Legacy & Alchemy project, it was appropriate for the hit single, "Rio" to be presented by Legacy and Alchemy.
WEBSITE:
SOCIAL MEDIA: