Darrius
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Singer, keyboardist and songwriter Darrius Lamont Willrich has been building a life devoted to music since the age of twelve. Darrius received his first instrument - a keyboard - at the age of fifteen and has never looked back. From teaching himself to play piano by ear as a teen to graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music in jazz piano from Cornish College of the Arts in 1994, Darrius has honed his musical versatility and finesse to a professional level.
For over ten years, Darrius has been an integral part of Seattles live music circuit. He is a first-call musician for both traditional and contemporary jazz, funk, R&B, hip-hop and gospel keyboarding. Darrius style evokes comparison to Stevie Wonder and Prince, two artists he cites as major inspiration for their commitment to creative expression.
Yet it wasnt until his 1999 self-titled debut album Darrius that he broke ground and revealed his talents as a vocalist, songwriter and producer. On March 25, 1999 Darrius played to a sold-out CD release party, turning nearly 300 people away due to limited venue capacity. The album is a sexy, soulful blend of R&B and jazz and was nominated for Best R&B Adult Contemporary CD for that years Northwest Music Awards.
Since then Darrius has been teaching piano on a college level and performing in Seattles most popular club venues. There are few hard-hitting musical projects Darrius does not either spearhead or participate in. Just last summer Darrius played keys for Seattle groove/soul sensation Maktub as they opened for Earth, Wind and Fire.
Darrius also writes and performs with the explosive live hip-hop band Source of Labor, who will soon be on tour with underground hip-hop wonders Dilated Peoples and The Coup. Every week, Darrius plays with a nine-piece improvisatory hip-hop soul band called Jumbalaya. Selling out to SRO capacity every weekend, Jumbalaya is easily Seattles favorite live club act. Other local projects include composing for three films by independent Sojourner Entertainment.
It is his mission to leave a legacy of music that inspires and touches people. I want to make people feel the way I felt when I listened to people like Stevie Wonder and Prince hearing and feeling dreams coming true, and through that knowing I could make my own dreams come true.
Darrius next album is due out by Summer 2001. Watch and listen for it!
Hear the Music...Feel the Sun
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
I play live all the time in Seattle, WA and love it.
Your musical influences
Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Lattimore, Brian McKnight, Eric Benet, Prince
What equipment do you use?
Korg Triton, Rhodes, live instruments, REASON
Anything else?
Hi Mom and Dad
