A few moments with Showband Musical Director Daryl McKenzie

One of the newest members in the Victoria Police Bands is maestro Daryl McKenzie.

Daryl McKenzie (centre) with members of the Showband

You may not recognize the name immediately but you have probably heard Daryl or his work many times already.


Perhaps you’ve heard of these artists:

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra

Al Martino 

Anthony Warlow
Australian Army Band

Australian Pops Orchestra

Barry Crocker

Barry Manilow

BB King

Beijing Symphony Orchestra

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

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

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?

Australia’s Got Talent  

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 Alison Ashley,  Bootmen, Two Hands, The Wog Boy, Bootmen, La Spagnol, The Rage In Placid Lake


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 Hollywood movie The Truman Show.  That is until he recently decided to take on the Victoria Police Showband.  When the Musical Director role became available, he didn’t hesitate to apply.

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.

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.

Best music gig of your life?

Melbourne International Festival of Brass – Where my Jazz Orchestra supported the renowned American jazz trombonist Bill Watrous and the legendary Australian multi instrumentalist James Morrison.

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”.

What’s it like wearing a Police uniform?
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.