Following their critically acclaimed Volume One (2022) and Volume Two (2023), Darren Pickering Small Worlds continue their through-composed & improvisational explorations into the melding of jazz and song-based structures incorporating the “cinematic sonics” of modular synthesisers.

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Their music features lyrical melodies over shifting textures grounded in solid modern jazz harmony.

This Ōtautahi (Christchurch, NZ) based jazz quartet performs works composed by pianist Darren Pickering as well as re-imagined versions of selected works from other genres. The group’s emphasis is mostly on through-composed material combined with improvisation, and the artistic direction is determined equally by all members. There is a cinematic flavour to the ensemble’s sound, enhanced by the electronic textures of Darren’s ever-expanding collection of modular systems, synths, selected iPad apps and sonic manipulation devices.

Influences include Aaron Parks, Brian Blade and The Fellowship Band, The Cinematic Orchestra, EST, Floating Points, Jacob Karlzon, Kendrick Scott Oracle, Romain Collin, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Slowly Rolling Camera, and many others.  

This music was composed, performed, recorded, and produced in Aotearoa (NZ).

• Produced by Darren Pickering Small Worlds

• Recorded at Rapaki Studios, Christchurch

• Engineered and mixed by Alex Harmer

• Mastered by Steve Garden

• Cover art ‘Sign of Life’ by Harry Harrison

• Design by Unklefranc

• Printing by Studio Q

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Check out all things Darren Pickering Small Worlds below:

Website

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Darren is a jazz pianist, composer, educator, modular synthesist and session musician based in Christchurch (NZ). Some of the notable international artists he has worked with include Gordon Brisker (USA), Dick De Graf (Holland), William Parker (USA), Raed Yassin (Lebanon), Bobby Shew (USA), Jamie Oehlers (AUS), Tom Warrington (USA), Iain Ballamy (UK), and he has also worked with nationally renowned NZ artists Julia Deans, LA Mitchell, Mark Vanilau, Whirimako Black, Dave Dobbyn, Anika Moa, and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. His playing and compositions also feature on albums by Shapeshifter (Stars), Cairo Knife Fight (Iron), Julia Deans (Modern Fables), Oakley Grenell (The Deep), The Tiny Lies (The Oaks They Will Blow), Pacific Heights (The Stillness), Departure Lounge (In Session), Sacha Vee (Sacha Vee, Rising One, Luminous), Glen Wagstaff (Firefly), Oval Office (Oval Office, Move, Don’t Stop), Sumo Jazz (Shiko and Throwing Salt, Jazz Album finalist, 2011).

RATTLE is an Auckland-based artist-focused art music label specialising in contemporary works by composers and performers who explore unique creative pathways—new music for open ears.

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