Artist description Female dance artist. Singer/songwriter.

Music Style Dance - Pop

Musical Influences Elton John, Yes, BG's

Similar Artists None

Artist History Darlene "D"’s talent was first noticed in the radio industry by some college jocks at WNHU in the early 90’s via her cut, "Tricky Ricky," and was remixed and released on "The Compilation" by producer, Money Moses, now with Capitol. It was test-marketed in the underground circuit in New York, Connecticut, and parts of Massachusetts. Very positive feedback ensued prompting numerous requests from club owners in the area for her live stage performance, radio interviews and TV appearances including an appearance as a guest on the popular Joe Franklin Show in NYC.Her debut album, "Safari Hunter," was released independently and then shortly thereafter signed to release the CD by J-Bird Records with worldwide distribution through retail and the world wide web.Just prior to the signing, Darlene released her 12" hit, "I Like You." She was asked to perform at a Mercury Records party with Lidell Townsell, Ultra Magnetic MC’s and Bobby Konders. She received the highest rating on both song and performance by the jocks of C&C Music Factory affiliates, the RPBC in NYC. While the 12" was in rotation at several college and commercial radio stations such as WTIC in Hartford, CT, KC101 in New Haven and Kiss 95.7 in their weekend mix shows, the cut made the Top 20 in the NYC club play. Darlene and her 12" won two awards in a readers poll by the Advocate: #1 for Best New Urban/R&B Artist in CT and #1 for Best Recording Released. According to the Advocate, her live stage show promises, ".....the latest RAGE (pop-funk) sound, FURIOUS choreography and the most EXPLOSIVE stage show around!!!"Before beginning recording for her upcoming CD, "X," she spent some time last fall as the Musical Advisor for an ABC children’s television pilot called, "Monster In My Toybox," and also did some jingle and studio work.

Group Members Darlene "D"

Instruments Electronic

Albums Safari Hunter

Press Reviews Meriden Record-JournalSeptember 24, 1998Don't categorize Darlene D--------------------------------------------------------------------------------by Amanda SavioRecord Journal staff Darlene "D" refuses to be labeled. But if she has to be, she will label herself. "I've been categorized in so many ways musically," said the Hamden singer, in an interview at Trod Nossel Recording Studios in Wallingford. Darlene Cavalier has been placed in the pop, dance, urban and adult contemporary categories, but feels she has come up with her own class: "pop hop," a combination of pop and hip hop. "It doesn't fall perfectly into any one category, "Besides, you have to be there first or get in line." Cavalier, who gets the "D" from her middle name, Delores, is hard at work on her new CD, "X," which will follow her debut 1991 release, "Safari Hunter," an 8-track disc of lively music. "Safari Hunter" was recently re-released by J-Bird Records, which is the first completely interactive record label on the Internet. Cavalier enjoyed a wave of success with "Safari Hunter." Songs like "Tricky Ricky" created a stir in the tri-state club circuit, and she was the only unsigned artist asked to perform at a private Mercury Records party. That party helped her single, "I Like You," hit the top 20 in New York City club play. She was also voted number one in two Advocate Music Poll categories, "Best New Urban/R&B Artist in Connecticut" and "Best Recording Released Since 1991" in 1993. On "X" she experiments with different types of music, including gospel. Though her music has been compared to the sounds of early Madonna, she doesn't copy anyone. "I don't listen to much radio," she said. "I'm afraid I'll inherit their style." Surprisingly, the influences she cites include Elton John, Yes, the Doors, Van Halen and the Eagles. "You go from the Eagles, and here I am writing pop hop," she said. Cavalier is currently putting together musicians, singers and dancers for her live shows. She has a music director, a stage manager, and is piecing together a large live band that includes a drummer, percussionist, two guitar players, bassist, keyboardist, pianist, three backup singers, and a male front singer. Cavalier, who has performed in several Connecticut clubs, including Toad's Place in New Haven, is looking forward to performing live again. "I want to get in front of the right people," she said. "It's all about making the right contacts." She became interested in music as a child, when she began to play piano. Aside from voice lessons at age 18, she never had any formal musical training. "I don't read a note of music," she said. You might say it is in her blood. Her father, Thomas "Doc" Cavalier, runs Trod Nossel Studios in Wallingford, and her brothers, Rob and Tommy are also active in the industry. Her father is the executive producer of "X." Other musical projects have been keeping her busy through the years as well, including working as the musical advisor for an ABC pilot, "Monster in My Toy Box," last fall. But now she is doing all she can to make "X" the best thing on her resume. "It's great stuff," said Trod Nossel chief engineer Richard Robinson. "We do a lot of hip hop groups." "It's fun. I'm enjoying it. I'm up all night," said Cavalier. "It's a one-man show. But if I didn't like it, I wouldn't be doing it. The business is way too hard." "I'm definitely going to take it all the way this time."

Location New Haven, Connecticut - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).