darren scorza
a native midwesterner from norridge, illinois, darren scorza began playing piano and drums in grade school. he was introduced to jazz in middle school and quickly dropped van halen and rush for the likes of roy haynes and thelonious monk. darren graduated with a bachelors of music in 1993 from eastern illinois university where he studied percussion with johnny lee lane, and jazz with henry butler.

after returning home to chicago, scorza played as the house drummer at chicago's famed pump room with singer jim rollins. he has had the pleasure of performing with many jazz artists, including bobby enriquez, richie cole, kevin gainer, and kevin cole.

scorza has also recorded with vocalists michele thomas, emilie conway, saxophonist ted hogarth, and the avant garde hard art groop. he has also recorded numerous jingles and demos.

a percussion instructor for maine south high school in park ridge, illinois, for nearly a decade, he is at work on a soon-to-be published percussion etude book geared towards high school percussionists.

today, he continues his work as a musician and private percussion instructor. current projects include performances with wife michele thomas, vocalists bryon garrison, elizabeth doyle and guitarist scott hesse. he also currently can be seen with rock bands cast iron skillet and mai tai alibi.

scorza can be heard on the recently released "Misconception" (Wide Sound/2003) alongside saxophonist ted hogarth.