Darren Scorza is a Chicago area drummer, percussionist, producer, recording engineer and educator. He holds a Bachelor in Music Performance degree from Eastern Illinois University.

Darren’s performance experience covers a wide range of styles. He’s performed with jazz legends such as Bobby Enriquez and Eddie Harris, spent time in Chicago theater shows, rock bands such as Cast Iron Skillet, and worship music at Ebenezer Lutheran Church. He is an active musician in the Chicago jazz scene often joining artists performing at renown jazz venues such as the Jazz Showcase, Winter’s Jazz Club, Pete Miller’s, Andy’s Jazz Club & the Chicago Jazz Festival. He also has many recording credits as both a drummer, recording/mixing engineer and producer. His drumming has been featured on recent recordings by Michele Thomas, Jeannie Tanner, Jeff Hedberg’s C11, Swing Forward, Hard Art Groop, John Bany, the Waystation and the Metropolitan Jazz Octet. He also serves as drummer and music director for jazz vocalist (and wife) Michele Thomas.

Darren’s teaching approach is to combine academic proficiency and practical experience in a manner gauged towards the strengths of each student. He has taught percussion at Maine South High School, Harper College & Notre Dame College Prep. He also served as Jazz Band Director at Notre Dame College Prep for ten years. Darren teaches Jazz Percussion & directs the Jazz Lab Band at Harper College, is the drumset instructor & teaches percussion methods at North Park University, and currently authors online drumset courses for Vandercook College of Music.