Darryl Yokley facts for kids

American tenor and alto saxophonist, composer and music conservatory teacher.

Darryl Yokley II was born on February 2, 1982, in Los Angeles, California. He is an American musician who plays the saxophone. He is also a talented composer, meaning he writes music. Plus, he teaches music at a conservatory!

Darryl started learning music by studying classical saxophone. Later, he became very interested in jazz. He is the leader of a band called Sound Reformation. His band is known for its creative music and amazing solos. They released their first album, The Void, in 2012. Another popular album, Pictures at an African Exhibition, came out in 2018.

Darryl has played with many famous artists. These include Motown legends like The Four Tops, The Temptations, and The O'Jays. He has also performed with jazz greats such as Eddie Palmieri and Orrin Evans.

Darryl's Musical Journey

Early Life and Education

Darryl Yokley began his musical journey in California when he was ten. He started by playing the clarinet. A year later, in middle school, he switched to the saxophone. He quickly became very good at it! He even earned spots in special honors bands for both classical and jazz music.

When Darryl was in high school, he moved to North Carolina. There, he met James Houlik, who would become his saxophone professor. In 1997, Darryl decided to focus only on classical saxophone. It took him ten years to return to jazz music.

He went to Duquesne University for his first degree. Then, he went to Michigan State University for his graduate studies. He learned from amazing teachers like James Houlik and Mike Tomaro. He also studied with Joseph Lulloff and learned jazz composition from Derrick Gardner.

Playing with Legends

After finishing college, Darryl started playing music professionally. He toured with famous Motown groups like the Four Tops, the Temptations, and the O'Jays. Imagine playing with such legendary bands!

In 2007, Darryl moved to Philadelphia. He spent time learning from experienced musicians there. He played often in Philadelphia, gaining lots of experience. In 2009, he moved to New York City. Since then, he has performed with many top musicians. These include Eddie Palmieri, Orrin Evans, and Ralph Peterson Jr. He was also part of the horn section for the Captain Black Big Band. He also arranged music for singer-songwriter Rhonda Ross.

Sound Reformation and Beyond

Darryl Yokley started his own band, Sound Reformation, in 2010. Their first album, The Void, came out in 2012. Music critics really liked it! In 2015, the band performed a special project for the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It was a big success and got great reviews.

Darryl often performs in New York City. He was a special guest artist at the Arpa International Film Festival in Hollywood. He even performed for the legendary musician and producer Quincy Jones! Darryl has also played music all over the world. He has performed in South America, Europe, and many times in Japan. He continues to play as a solo artist and with other musicians. He works with pianist Kyle Walker.

In 2018, Sound Reformation released their second album, Pictures at an African Exhibition. This album was special because it included a small wind ensemble. It was also Darryl's first time working with an artist on a project. British artist David Emmanuel Noel created original artwork just for the album.

This album became very popular. It was even mentioned in The New York Times! Downbeat magazine gave it a great review and chose it as an editor's pick. Because of the album's success, Darryl performed at the Kennedy Center in 2019. He has also toured the East Coast many times. Since 2021, he and Sound Reformation have started touring on the West Coast too.

Teaching and Management

Darryl Yokley loves to teach music. He works with students of all ages and skill levels. He helps them find their own way to play instruments like the saxophone, clarinet, or flute. He also travels around the country as a clinician, sharing his knowledge.

Since 2021, Darryl has also been the operations manager for Truth Revolution Recording Collective. This means he helps run the record label. He helps other musicians share their music with the world.

Discography

• 2010: The Captain Black Big Band
• 2012: Darryl Yokley's Sound Reformation - The Void
• 2012: Together presented by Truth Revolution Records
• 2016: Rhonda Ross- In Case You Didn't Know
• 2018: Darryl Yokley's Sound Reformation - Pictures at an African Exhibition
• 2021: Spiritual Jazz 13 NOW!Part One/ Modern Sounds for the 21st Century
• 2021: Truth Revolution Recording Collective- Together Again
• 2023: Voices of my People- We R The Church