A native of Pittsburgh PA Darrell was exposed to the sounds of Jazz from an early age which helped shape his interest in playing the drums. He played in several local R&B, Funk, Fusion and Jazz bands around the Greater Pittsburgh area throughout his teens and early twenties.

Soon after moving to Maryland in 1981 Darrell gradually became immersed in the local music scene. By 2009 he was performing as a member of several popular bands and soon became a first-call sideman playing with a diverse collective of Jazz, Funk, Rock and Blues ensembles.