Former Matchbox Twenty band member Darren Kramer has proven to be an innovative and talented young musician. With national television appearances including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman and feature videos such as VH1 Storytellers, his praised debut as a recording artist continues to garner him national attention. His most recent CD release is entitled "In The Now" and features world-renowned jazz artists Michael Brecker, Rick Margitza and Eric Marienthal.

Darren Kramer is currently a jazz faculty member of the University of Denver Lamont School of Music and is an active member of IAJE The International Association for Jazz Education. He is an Edwards Performing Artist and is in demand as a freelance trombonist, clinician and adjudicator throughout the country. Kramer is also an accomplished composer/arranger of many styles resulting in several commissioned works and recordings with his innovative 10-piece group DKO.

DKO The Darren Kramer Organization is a world-class horn band that performs a refreshing mix of original Funk, Jazz and Latin. This exciting new group has capitalized on creating the next generation of crossover jazz and brings this high-energy music to people all over the world through their inspiring performances, educational clinics and unique recordings. The dynamic power of this four-piece horn section blended with cutting-edge vocals is continuing the legacy of popular horn bands such as Tower of Power, Earth Wind & Fire, and Chicago. Moreover, Kramer’s creative new music has been compared in quality to The Chick Corea Elektric Band and The Brecker Brothers, and one of Kr amer’s recent compositions, "Not Far From Here", was a winner in the International John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

Not only are all DKO members full-time, professional musicians, they are also dedicated jazz educators. DKO performs clinics, master classes and 2-5 day workshops around the globe in an effort to inspire young people with this precious and rewarding art form. DKO 2005 performances will include The International Association for Jazz Education Conference in California, The Montreux International Jazz Festival in Switzerland and numerous concert/clinics including the Mile High Jazz Festival, Northwest Jazz Festival and Jazz in the Sangres.

For more information about Darren Kramer and DKO, please visit www.darrenkramer.org and www.darrenkramer.com.