“Johnston explores the limits of his instrument with a hankering for originality…running away and never looking back.”
– San Francisco Bay Guardian,
“Pick of the Week”
With an affinity for music that defies easy categorization, Canada-born, Bay Area-based trumpeter/composer Darren Johnston works within jazz, purely improvised music, music of the Balkans, Jamaica (as a regular member of Groundation), contemporary classical, and more.
He has worked with a broad and diverse collection of artists such as ROVA Saxophone Quartet, Marshal Allen, Ches Smith, Dayna Stephens, Marcus Shelby, Carmen Staaf, Michael Formanek, Larry Ochs, Anais Mitchell, Michael Attias, Dave Rempis, Slavic Soul Party!, Myra Melford, Fred Frith, Allison Miller, Geof Bradfield, Anna Webber, Jon Irabagon, Pete Escovedo, Buddy Miles, SF Sound Ensemble, Hamid Drake, and many more.
Photo by Julie Caine
Upcoming Shows
Friday, August 28, 7:00PM
Other Dimensions in Sound presents
Ark of Bones (1st set)
Chris Evans-cello and efx
David Boyce-saxes and efx
Johnston/Goldberg/Glenn (2nd set)
Jordan Glenn - drums
Ben Goldberg - clarinets
Darren Johnston - trumpet
I love this Friday music series curated by David Boyce, and I try to make it whenever I can, whether I’m playing or not. This time however, I’m playing! Two sets of improvised music and a great hang at a wonderful bookstore/cultural center.
@ Medicine For Nightmares, 3036 24th St, San Francisco
suggested donation - $5 - $25
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Wednesday, September 9, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Brown Bag Jazz Hang at the Jazzschool Presents:
Darren Johnston on Booker Little
One of the MANY great things to happen since Lisa Mezzacappa has taken the artistic reigns at Berkeley’s iconic Jazzschool, is the Brown Bag Jazz Hang, a free lunch-time event hosted by a rotating cast of local artists. I’m looking forward to coming through to talk about and play selected tracks featuring one of my all-time heroes, the great trumpeter and composer Booker Little.
I'll bring the tunes, but bring your own lunch!
@ The Jazzschool, 2087 Addison St, Berkeley, CA
FREE
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Friday, September 11, 2026 @ 7 PM
Other Dimensions in Sound presents:
Subconscious Life
Larry Ochs - tenor and sopranino saxophones
Ben Davis - cello
Darren Johnston - trumpet
Lisa Mezzacappa - acoustic bass
Larry Ochs offers up a deeply felt set of improvised music, created by this stellar ensemble of San Francisco Bay Area improvisers... and we invite you, the creative listeners, to dig in to our spontaneous but thoughtfully sculpted music as it happens, in real time, in the wonderful bookstore and culture center known as MEDICINE FOR NIGHTMARES...
Conceptually, Subconscious Life might be said to be administratively led by Larry Ochs - who also might add carefully placed comments before and after sessions. The music itself, however, is developing collectively as the four performers listen, respond and focus on the collective musical elements, each player reacting from his or her own composerly perspective. As some of you will hear: "Form" is definitely part of the creative process in this band. As a result, each piece "magically" ends up with a formal shape and its own distinct character. In other words: there's a sign outside the entrance to the performance Space that reads CELEBRATE: EARS WORKING…
@ Medicine For Nightmares, 3036 24th St, San Francisco
suggested donation - $5 - $25
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Sunday, September 13, 1pm
Flower Piano Presents:
The Rob Reich Swings Left Legacy Band
“Original swing music for dancing, or not”
Now under the leadership of fellow former Nice Guy Trio member Daniel Fabricant, we’ll be swinging our way through our friend Rob Reich’s incredible body of work that he left us with. If you know, you know. It’s some unique and beautiful music played by a great band.
@ San Francisco Botanical Garden, 1199 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA
Cost for concert included with admission to the garden
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Sunday, September 13, 5:30pm
The Electric Squeezebox Orchestra
The ESO residency at the Jazzschool continues, led by trumpeter/composer Erik Jekabson, and playing original compositions and arrangements by members of this fantastic 13-piece ensemble. Frequently featured is our resident poet Avocja, as well as some of the best musicians the Bay Area has to offer.
@ The Jazzschool, 2087 Addison St, Berkeley, CA
General Admission $25
Youth Admission $15
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Thursday, September 17, 8:30pm
Deep Space
Pete Schmitt - bass, guimbri
O. Scheiber - drums
Dave Brandt - vibraphone percussion
JC O’Donnell - guitar
Darren Johnston - trumpet
I’m not quiet sure how to describe what this band does. It’s groovy rock with jazz solos…. sort of. Come hear for yourself! It's definitely a party.
@ The Rite Spot, 2099 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA
No Cover
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Friday, September 18, 7:30pm
A Scott Foster Trio
Scott Foster - guitar
David Phillips - pedal steel guitar
Darren Johnston - trumpet
I'm always grateful when Scott calls me for to join him for his monthly residency at Bird and Beckett. This one will be VERY different, and I believe, also very beautiful. No idea what kind of music to tell you to expect.... Color, melancholy, swing, space.
@ Bird and Beckett, 653 Chenery St, San Francisco, CA
$20 suggested donation
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Saturday, September 26, 7:30pm
Devin Gray Quartet
Devin Gray - drums
Liberty Ellman - guitar
Darren Johnston - trumpet
Lisa Mezzacappa - bass
Devin’s a super tasty and creative drummer who also writes great tunes. I met him while we were both living in New York, but he’s now based in Berlin and passing through town as part of a West Coast tour. For this particular show he’s put some of my favorite fellow West Coasters together for what should be a fantastic concert. I’m excited and honored to be a part of it.
@ Bird and Beckett, 653 Chenery St, San Francisco, CA
$20 suggested donation
Join Darren's mailing list to stay updated on upcoming shows and releases.
For bookings or private lessons, please contact Darren at darrenjohnston5000@gmail.com