"cavan tenor banjoist answered the question who? with wow on his debut CD"
Earle Hitchner, Irish Echo and The Wall Street Journal.
"The upshot is that listening to Who? becomes a hugely engaging experience and once which discovers new delights with each new playing. The evidence is clear, unquestionable and resounding this really is one of the best albums of the year and sets a benchmark for not just future banjo albums, but future independent releases"
Geoff Wallis, fRoots Magazine and irishmusicreview.com.
"Finding consummate musicians to represent our banjos is not always an easy task. Darren Maloney falls into a level of musicianship that has a limited membership. His technical expertise is beyond compare"
Carolina Bridges, Marketing Manager, Deering Banjo Company.
"As a professional banjo player myself, I can state that Darrens abilities as an Irish tenor banjoist are truly remarkable. He is not only a extraordinary gifted musician but is also a celebrated performer and highly respected composer of new music"
Dr. Mick Moloney, Global Distinguished Professor.
"For those looking for a statement in their music check out the track Kandy Girls with tightly picked harmonies and chordal work that prove just how some people are born to be exponents of their chosen instrument"
Pete Fyfe, folking.com and Folker! Magazine.
Darren Maloney is regarded by critics and peers alike as one of the most outstanding musicians to emerge in Irish music.
“Darren’s abilities as an Irish tenor banjoist are truly remarkable’,
says Dr. Mick Moloney, Global Distinguished Professor resident at NYU.
Darren has toured the world and been sought after as a recording artist for many years.
In 2004 Darren recorded a solo album, not a spur-of-the-moment decision but one that had been planned for some time. That album ‘who?’ has received world-wide acclaim and marked Darren as a future star.
“The evidence is clear, unquestionable and resounding – this really is one of the best albums of the year and sets a benchmark for not just future banjo albums, but future independent releases”, wrote Geoff Wallis for fRoots Magazine.
In May 2006 Darren was selected for a world-class string workshop at Carnegie Hall led by stellar tutors, Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile, Mike Marshall and Jerry Douglas — each worshipped in their various fields of acoustic music. The tutors hand-picked the participants from 150 entries sent from 32 countries. The workshop culminated in a performance on the most famous of musical stages — Carnegie Hall.
In 2005 Darren became the first Irish banjo player to be endorsed by the prestigious Deering Banjo Company, based in California. He joined musicians such as Béla Fleck, Rod Stewart and Garth Brooks as an ambassador for their instruments.
“Finding consummate musicians to represent our banjos is not always an easy task. Darren Maloney falls into a level of musicianship that has a limited membership. His technical expertise is beyond compare”, says Carolina Bridges, Marketing Manager at Deering Banjos.
At the moment, Darren is working on material for two albums to be released in 2007. The first will see him revisiting music from his years growing up in County Cavan, Ireland. The second album will be almost entirely self-penned.
Alright there Mr Maloney? One of the best nights in recent years with you and your crew in St Louis. Hope you're doing well mate. We're playing in NYC in December if you're about.
It was a pleasure meeting you and thanks again for the autograph. I can't tell you how amazing you are on the banjo, I'm truly jealous of your talents.
