One of the
newest members in the Victoria Police Bands is maestro Daryl
McKenzie.
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| Daryl McKenzie (centre) with members of the Showband |
Perhaps you’ve heard of these artists:
Al
Martino
Anthony
Warlow
Australian Army Band
Australian Army Band
Australian
Pops Orchestra
Barry Crocker
Barry Manilow
BB
King
Bonnie Raitt
Combo Fiasco
Cybil
Sheppard
Daryl
Braithwaite
Daryl Somers
David
Campbell
Debra Byrne
Electric
Light Orchestra
Harry Connick
Jr
Jerry Lewis
Jimmy Barnes
Joan Rivers
Joe Cocker
John Farnham
Judith Durham
Kate
Ceberano
Killing Heidi
Marina Prior
Marina Prior
Normie Rowe
RAAF Central
Band
Randy
Crawford
Ray Charles
Reg
Livermore
Rhonda
Burchmore
Shirley
Bassey
Sir George
Martin (Beatles)
Sydney Symphony
Orchestra
Tasmanian
Symphony Orchestra
Todd McKenney
Tom Jones
Or perhaps you’ve been watching TV?
Australian Idol
Bert Newton
Show
Carols by
Candlelight
Dancing with the Stars
Ernie Sigley
Show
Good Friday
Appeal
Hey, Hey It's Saturday
Kate Ceberano
& Friends
Logie Awards
Olympic/Commonwealth
Games themes for the Seven Network
Russell
Gilbert show
T.V.Week
Logie Awards
Young Talent Time
Maybe the movies?
Death Defying Acts, The Truman Show, After the Deluge, Strange Bedfellows, Hating
A gifted composer, arranger, conductor and trombonist, Daryl McKenzie has worked with all these artists and on all of these projects. Keep in mind, the lists above are not comprehensive!
Daryl lists one of his proudest achievements as arranging a Golden Globe Award - winning score for the
We recently caught up with Daryl between engagements with the Victoria Police Showband.
So why did you choose to
join Victoria Police?
I was given
the “heads up” that the job was going to be advertised. The job sounded great
and there were some great players in the band I knew from over the years. The position
seemed to encompass everything I enjoyed in performing, directing and writing
for big bands.
What instruments do you
play and which is your favourite?
I play the Trombone,
Bass Guitar, Euphonium (fairly) and Keyboards (fairly badly!). I enjoy them all
but Trombone is my first love.
Favourite style of music?
I like anything
good be it orchestral, rock, funk but big band jazz is at the top of my list.
Most memorable moments in
your career?
There are too
many to remember. Playing beside some of the great players is what I find most
memorable even though most people don’t even know their names – Ernie Watts, (American jazz saxophonist ) Martin Taylor, (British jazz
guitarist) Frank Zabo, Bill Watrous. (American jazz trombonist)
Desert island discs time
…you can take 5 CD’s or music DVD’s?
Can I take an
iPod instead?
“JJ in
Person” (J.J. Johnson)
“The Atomic
Count Basie” (Count Basie)
“The Tower of Power
Anthology” (Tower of Power
“Spirit
Music” (Bob Brookmeyer)
“Thinking
About You” (Frank Rosolino)
I wish I could play…
Better
keyboards or sing well.
Something your friends
wouldn’t know about you?
Let’s keep it
that way.
Most embarrassing moment on
stage?
Running on
stage, introducing the band, counting off the first song, reaching for my
trombone – it was still in its case in the dressing room!
Something I’d never try
again….
Taking a solo
in front of the band with my earplugs still in and no foldback. Who knows what I
actually sounded like that day?
My biggest passion is…
My family.
Also creating great music.
I’m terrible at…
Singing.
Do you practice? How much do you practice?
Every
performance or rehearsal is practice. I certainly don’t practice to the extent
I did when I was in college – I have too many other responsibilities now.
The best job I previously had…
Was when I
was the Musical Director of Hey Hey It’s Saturday – so much fun and so many
great musical moments.
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| Billy Thorpe |
 |
| Tom Jones |
 |
| Joe Cocker |
The worst job I ever had…
Was teaching
a compulsory year 7 Brass instrumental class where most kids didn’t care. I was
just babysitting.
The best thing about being
in the Police Band is…
Where do I
start? Making music, performing, great people, family friendly working
conditions, variety of performance types and styles and making a contribution
to the community.
The worst thing about being
in the Police Band is…
The bands
struggle somewhat with budgets and upgrading equipment and facilities and the
band centre needs upgrading. Any sponsors reading this want to come on board?
If you knew you couldn’t
fail, what would you do?
Start a big
band jazz club. I think the failure would come with thinking it could make any
money!
Who (past, or present)
would you most like to sit next to on a long flight?
My wife of
course! Otherwise James Morrison. Whenever I work with him or see him perform,
I’m amazed by his energy, passion and humour.
Any advice for young
musicians/singers starting out? Think Australian
Idol?
No don’t
think Australian Idol! Practice, practice and then more practice! Learn to
diversify and be the best at what you do.
What is the most important
lesson being in the Police band has taught you?
Never turn up
to work without your full uniform. Those pants I had to wear were sooo tight!
I wish I had…
The financial
resources to just compose music.
I wish I hadn’t…
Admitted that
I could play Euphonium.
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| Bill Watrous ( far left) James Morrison (far right) |
The song I’d like played at
my funeral…
Would be something
I wrote myself.
I’m always being asked…
Are you a
real policeman and have you got a gun? The answers are “yes” and “I’m happy to
see you”.
Great! I don’t have to worry about which tie goes with which shirt and with which suit everyday! I think my wife is impressed to see me in it too but let’s not go there! I enjoy being able to represent such an important organization by wearing it.
