Darrell Grant

In the artist’s words: Describe one of your earliest musical memories in detail. When I was 2 my parents took me to a concert by pianist/organist Earl Grant, whose records were a hit in our Pittsburgh home. I sat there so transfixed, that at intermission, the people around us were amazed--they had no idea a toddler was there! What are your top 3 all-time favorite albums on Apple Music, and why? Why did you choose these three albums in particular? Ramsey Lewis, Ramsey Lewis Trio, Upendo Ni Pamoja This record started a lifelong love of pianist Ramsey Lewis. Like me, someone who began in classical music and found their voice in jazz. I even recorded my own arrangement of one his songs from this record on my own solo release Twilight Stories. Find a song of yours on Apple Music that you love and tell us what makes it special. Tell us why you chose this song. “Twilight” I wrote it late at night in a club in Germany after a gig. It captures the soulful vibes of Quincy Jones & Earth Wind & Fire grooves, I loved in my youth, & brings in shifting, moody jazz of heroes like George Cables, Herbie Hancock & Kenny Kirkland What’s one of the most memorable moments in your career so far? 1 Touring with icons Betty Carter, Tony Williams, and Roy Haynes in my youth 2 Creating a Reconciliation Concert that brought Bishop Desmond Tutu to Portland 3 Playing with Esperanza Spalding & an orchestra conducted by Dudamel at the Hollywood Bowl Is there anything left on your bucket list as an artist or band? So much more! Releasing a series of solo piano albums, recording my jazz chamber opera Sanctuaries, completing my jazz re-imagination of the music of James Taylor, and many more dreams to come!