DARREN KRAMER
— Motivational Speaker —
Producer • Composer • Horn Arranger
Trombonist • Keyboardist • BandLeader
Darren Kramer is a speaker, producer, composer, educator, and professional freelance musician who has toured the world as trombonist with diverse acts Rob Thomas/Matchbox Twenty (Pop/Rock), Tom Jones (R&B/Soul), and Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies w Mercer Ellington (Swing Big Band Broadway Show). Read Testimonials
Kramer is an Electric Trombone DJ, XO Brass Artist, and Ableton Certified Trainer who creatively combines live acoustic instruments with electronic music. Darren’s fascinating approach to music production and live performance is fueled by his unique skill set by starting piano and trombone by age eight, studying theory, composition, arranging, and recording at the University of Miami, and performing in hundreds of bands as a full-time professional freelance musician for nearly 40 years. Kramer’s music production is centered around a MacBook Pro with Ableton Live software and performs live using an Electric Trombone, MIDI keyboard, Push 2 controller, and iPad Lemur App for live looping, live audio effects, vocoder, and beat slicing horn samples. His cutting-edge group ElektroHornz is a supercharged fusion of a 4pc live horn section with music technology for an ultramodern multimedia experience of excellence & innovation.
Kramer founded his own music company in 1998 — DKO The Darren Kramer Organization — and has produced 6 original CDs and composed/arranged 400+ songs, including many for prominent artists such as Michael Brecker & Jerry Hey which are featured on his 2023 DKO Anniversary CD “The Best of 25 Years”.
Darren’s current educational focus are his “Keynote Concerts” Live Speaking “Edutainment” Events and his Sonic Tonic Academy Online Courses — a convenient, affordable and modern way to learn trombone, horn arranging, jazz, music technology, and even health & wellness. Moreover, as a way of giving back by creating and sharing valuable free content to inspire and educate, his popular Music & Wellness Podcast “Sonic Tonic Experience” features a weekly music collaboration & video interview with world-class musicians.
Kramer’s mission is simple, yet profound — To inspire people around the world to create music and promote wellness so we can all become a fundamental ingredient in the global recipe to heal the planet.
“A brilliant, upcoming trombonist…a renaissance musician!” - Michael Brecker
DJ DKO has used Ableton Live since 2007 as both a performance and composition tool to enhance his unique approach of combining acoustic instruments with electronic music – a fusion of jazz and beats using advanced harmony and improvisation. His cutting-edge live performance also includes spectacular visuals beat-synced to Live using the latest VJ software Resolume to combine video loops, live camera feeds and Kramer’s world-class photography for a truly stunning interactive multimedia experience.
Rob Thomas / Matchbox Twenty NYC Madison Square Garden
Matchbox Twenty Tour Badges
After graduating from the University of Miami, Kramer moved to NYC and toured with diverse acts such as pop/rock band Matchbox Twenty, singing superstar Tom Jones, and the legendary jazz Broadway show, Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies. He has appeared on numerous TV shows, performed with dozens of popular artists, and has recorded on his own record label with Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Michael Brecker.
David Letterman NYC The Late Show with David Letterman
Michael Brecker NYC Recording Session for DKO "In The Now"
Jay Leno Los Angeles The Tonight Show
DKO The Darren Kramer Organization is a music company Kramer founded in 1998 to encompass all of his projects, recordings, videos, charts, and educational workshops. Now DarrenKramer.Org prominently features DJ DKO – Kramer's lifelong ambition to combine all of his skills and passions into one discipline, while pushing the boundaries of the trombone stereotype and that of the traditional DJ.
Darren is an Ableton Certified Trainer and is the organizer of the Denver Ableton User Group. His extensive and varied talents as a performer, composer, music technology expert and entrepreneur make him a rare talent, but his love for music and passion for teaching are what make Darren a valuable educator and certified trainer. He is available for group and one-on-one lessons in person, over Zoom from anywhere in the world, and through his Online Courses.
International Tours
• Matchbox Twenty – Producer Matthew Serletic
• Tom Jones – Musical Director Brian Monroney
• Tommy Dorsey Orchestra - Bandleader Buddy Morrow
• Sophisticated Ladies Broadway Tour - Conductor Mercer Ellington
Television Shows
• Latin Grammys 2016 Person of the Year “Marc Anthony”
• The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
• The Late Show with David Letterman
• VH-1 Storytellers “Matchbox Twenty”
• VH-1 Men Strike Back "Tom Jones"
• The Today Show
Rob Thomas / Matchbox Twenty London Bon Jovi Tour
Marc Anthony Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden 2016 Latin Grammys
Tom Jones European Tour
James Brown Las Vegas
Mick Jagger London Hard Rock Cafe 30th Anniversary
Garth Brooks Colorado Hall of Fame Event
Jerry Hey & Gary Grant Los Angeles Recording Session for DKO "Turbulent Altercation"
Michael Brecker NYC Recording Session for DKO "In The Now"
James Pankow w Chicago
Darren Kramer in 5th Grade Band at Erie Elementary in Colorado
Recorded and/or Performed
Garth Brooks, Rob Thomas/Matchbox Twenty, Marc Anthony, Tom Jones, Dizzy Gillespie, Mercer Ellington, Take 6, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Wayne Bergeron, Jerry Hey, Gary Grant, Tito Nieves, Eric Marienthal, Darius Rucker, Natalie Cole, Barry Manilow, Clark Terry, Frankie Valli, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Streetlight Manifesto, Josh Groban, John Oates, Big Gigantic/Dominic Lalli, STS9, NOFX, Big Head Todd, Hazel Miller, Steve Lippia, Rich Matteson, Eddie Daniels, Rick Margitza, Gary Willis, Claudio Roditi, Rosemary Clooney, Maureen McGovern, Bob McGrath, Bill Conti, Patrick Williams, Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns, Lon Bronson Band, Clarence Clemmons, Eddie Santiago, Joe Piscopo, Chris Daniels & The Kings, Lannie Garrett, Matt Morris, University of Miami Concert Jazz Band w Whit Sidener, Walt Disney World All-American Collegiate Orchestra w Jim Christiansen, McDonald’s All-American High School Jazz Band w Bob Curnow
Daedelus Denver
Glitch Mob Los Angeles
Garrett Sayers / Motet Denver DKO Electric Quartet Recording Session
Pat Bianchi Denver DKO Electric Quartet Recording Session
Dominic Lalli / Big Gigantic Denver DKO Electric Quartet Recording Session
Ben Casey, Dave Hillel & Serafin Sanchez Los Angeles Ableton NAMM Event
Yukio King & Olaf Bohn Berlin Ableton Headquarters
TESTIMONIALS • REVIEWS • QUOTES
“Fresh, innovative funk by a brilliant, upcoming trombonist and the tune ‘Turbulent Altercation’ – WOW!”
Michael Brecker
“DKO is one of the most polished and exciting bands I have ever heard in this genre. Their enthusiasm is overwhelming and inspirational. Great charts and wonderful performances from everyone in the group!”
Randy Brecker
“It’s quite an operation you have going. Very ambitious! The tunes are clever, well-arranged and certainly well-played by everyone. I am more than impressed by it all!”
Bobby Shew
“DKO has its own vibe!!! Excellent writing, soloing and ensemble playing. Congratulations Darren! It’s great to hear a band with a fabulous horn section…but of course I’m partial!”
David Garibaldi
“I am blown away by your DKO “Quench!” CD but you’ve really topped yourself with “In The Now”! This is the next Tower of Power, Blood Sweat & Tears, Chicago, and Cold Blood rolled into one. 10 Stars!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Gary Lindsay Director of Studio/Jazz Writing - University of Miami Frost School of Music
“Very Impressive in every way. I love what you are doing with the electronics!! Keep up the GREAT INNOVATIVE Work!! Good Luck, with your WONDERFUL Direction!”
Justin DiCioccio Chairman of Jazz Dept - Manhattan School of Music
There’s no question that a lot of time has been put into this project. This is high-class “fusion” at its best with a lot of heart and true human energy…authentic grooves, great solos and ensemble work, and Darren…you sound very good on that impossible instrument!”
Dave Liebman
“Your CD “In The Now” sounds very good indeed. Great playing and writing…interesting textures and sounds. Keep up the good work!”
Bob Mintzer
“Darren’s compositions are the perfect balance of emotion and intellect…they stir deep feelings as they simultaneously challenge your mind…both as a player and as a listener!”
Rick Margitza