David Darling, a renowned cellist and composer who won a Grammy Award for Best New Age Album in 2010, passed away peacefully at his home on January 8, 2021. He was 79 years old. His death was confirmed by his family, who said he had been diagnosed with cancer
A Life of Music and Education
David Darling was born in Elkhart, Indiana, on March 4, 1941. He showed an interest in music from an early age, starting piano lessons at four, cello at ten, and string bass in high school. He studied classical cello at Indiana State University and later became a teacher there for four years
He moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to work as a studio musician and joined the Paul Winter Consort, a group that blended jazz, classical, and world music, in 1970. He stayed with the group until 1978 and recorded several albums with them, including the Grammy-nominated Common Ground
He also collaborated with other musicians, such as Bobby McFerrin, Ralph Towner, Spyro Gyra, and Ketil Bjørnstad, and released many solo albums, 15 of which were for the prestigious ECM label. His solo debut, Journal October, came out in 1979 and showcased his innovative use of the cello, incorporating elements of jazz, new age, and ambient music
His most acclaimed album, Prayer for Compassion, was released in 2009 and won him the Grammy Award for Best New Age Album. The album featured his cello playing along with vocal and instrumental contributions from various artists, creating a soothing and spiritual sound
Darling was not only a performer and composer, but also a lifelong educator of music and improvisation. He founded Music for People, a non-profit organization that promotes self-expression through musical improvisation, in 1986. He also taught workshops and seminars around the world, inspiring thousands of people to discover their own musical voice
A Legacy of Beauty and Compassion
David Darling’s music and teaching have touched the lives of many people, who have expressed their gratitude and admiration for him on social media and other platforms. His music has been described as “beautiful”, “healing”, “transcendent”, and “magical”. His teaching has been praised as “generous”, “kind”, “inspiring”, and “transformative”
He is survived by his daughter Jessica Darling, his daughter Bonnie Darling, his granddaughter Erin Shea, and their family. His family has requested that donations be made to Music for People in his memory
David Darling was a remarkable musician and human being, who left behind a legacy of beauty and compassion. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, fans, and fellow musicians. Rest in peace, David Darling.
