In this weekend’s issue of the Kent Reporter, journalist Steve Hunter reports that Darren Motamedy, a popular Kent-based jazz musician and elementary school band teacher, is moving to Las Vegas. He started searching for a job 18 months ago when it seemed imminent that the Kent School District would soon be cutting school band programs from the budget. Although KSD offered him a teaching position at the middle and high school levels here, Motamedy and his family had already made the decision to move to Las Vegas where Motamedy had accepted a teaching position.

A Kentridge High School graduate, the 51-year-old Motamedy is a community favorite. He has won a Golden Apple award in 2009 for his teaching in Kent schools and was named Teacher of the Year by the Kent School District in 2008.  He has also won awards for his work as a composer and jazz musician. Though he plays a number of instruments, he is best known locally as a saxophonist and jazz musician.

One of Motamedy’s final performances in Kent will take place this Thursday, June 24 at the free Evening of Jazz and Art event at Kent Senior Center.

Having interviewed Motamedy several times along with his music students, I anticipate that his move out of the community will be a big loss to our cultural arts programs as well as to his students. There is no doubt, however, that he will be a success wherever he travels. Best of luck to you, Darren, and to your family! You will be missed!

File photo by Dana Neuts, February 2009

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Letter to the Editor, from Darren Motamedy:

Dear Editor,

I love my community of Kent Washington.  I have lived in Kent for over 40 years, and attest to the strength of our schools, not only because I attended Panther Lake Elementary, Meeker Junior High School, and Kentridge High School, but because today I am an educator in the Kent School District.  On February 9^th, we are going to vote on two critical propositions, proposition one and two.  http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/ksd/cr/2010levy/web/index.html The purpose of these levies will be to “maintain” the current status of education for our children at our current tax rate!  By voting yes, we will continue to ensure that our students are technologically savvy in the 21^st century.  By voting yes, we will ensure that our students will continue to have “clean and well maintained classrooms”, after school sports programs, music programs, safety officers, and a highly trained teaching staff that is preparing our students to become our future leaders!

I appreciate what the Kent School District offered me when I was a student.  My teachers taught me the importance of hard work, knowledge, dedication, and the high ideals of contributing back to the society that raised me.  Today, I am a band director in the Kent School District because of the ideals that my teachers instilled upon me.  I see those ideals being met every day in the classroom by observing my colleagues.

I see teachers tirelessly and lovingly instructing students every day.  I see teachers continuing their personal education by taking college classes, master classes, professional certification classes, and national board class to ensure that they are acquainted with the newest teaching techniques available to help their students.  I see teachers helping disadvantaged students by opening their checkbooks to pay for clothing, food, school supplies, and school camps.  Why?  Because they care about the future of our community!

By voting yes on February 9^th, we are adopting the district motto to “Successfully Prepare All Students For Their Future”. Voting yes on February 9^th will ensure our teachers have the tools necessary to “Prepare All Students For Their Future”.  The School Administration, Teachers, and School Board in Kent are united in our quest to build our community, student by student, classroom by classroom, school by school.  Yes means quality education for our children of Kent!  Yes means a positive future for Kent!

Sincerely,

Darren Motamedy

Darren Motamedy teaches 5^th and 6^th Grade Band in Kent and was the 2008 teacher of the year in Kent, as well as  the KCTS Golden Apple Recipient for 2009.

October 13, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jazz Musician Darren Motamedy Seeks Used Instruments for Kent Band Students

Kent, Washington, October 13, 2009 – Seattle-area jazz musician Darren Motamedy seeks the donation of used band instruments for 5th and 6th grade band students in the Kent School District. The award-winning saxophonist is also a band director for five local elementary schools, and the shortage of available instruments creates a hardship for his students. In particular, the band students need clarinets, flutes, trumpets, drum kits, snare drums and orchestra bells.

Motamedy has a friend who will donate his time to clean and repair donated instruments, so most used instruments can be accepted, even those gathering dust in a closet or attic. The instruments will be used by students in the Kent School District, many who are receiving free or reduced lunches and can’t afford to rent instruments.

“Participating in band helps students to assimilate in group settings, stay focused in school and graduate,” Motamedy said. “Music saved my life, so I am thrilled to help out my band students.”

Donors are asked to contact Darren Motamedy to make arrangements to drop-off the instruments, or they can bring the instruments to one of Motamedy’s Sunday night shows at Muckleshoot Casino. For a performance schedule, please visit Motamedy’s website at www.darrenmotamedy.com.

“I appreciate all of you and your kind support not only of my musical endeavors, but in my teaching life as well,” Motamedy said. “Thank you for helping my band students. Your contribution will have a significant impact on their education.”

For more information, please contact:

Darren Motamedy
Email
206-940-3431
www.darrenmotamedy.com

Darren Motamedy, local jazz musician and a band director for the Kent School District, is asking his fans and friends to consider donating used band instruments for use by his 5th and 6th grade students. In particular, he’s looking for clarinets, flutes, trumpets, drum kits, snare drums and orchestra bells.

It could be a dusty instrument stuck in a corner, hidden away in a closet…or maybe one that needs a little TLC. Darren will take anything. He says band helps students to assimilate in group settings, helps them to stay focused in school and helps them to graduate.

“I appreciate all of you, and your kind support not only in my musical endeavors, but also in my teaching life as well…music saved my life, and I am thrilled to help out my 5th and 6th grade students.”

~ Darren Motamedy

If you have an instrument and can help, please contact Darren through the Kent School District or email iLoveKent.net and we’ll get the message to Darren. Thanks in advance for your support!

Also, Darren will be collecting instruments at his show this Sunday at Muckleshoot Casino (8 pm to midnight), featuring guitarist Jeff Golub. Anyone with an instrument to donate will be moved to the front of the line! Don’t miss this great opportunity to give back to the community AND to see Darren play.

Smooth jazz musician Darren Motamedy, an award-winning musician based in Kent, has three shows this weekend, starting tonight:

Thurs., Sept. 17:  7 – 10 pm
SIP Restaurant, Gig Harbor
Ladies’ Night

Sat., Sept. 19:  8 – 11 pm
Pagoche, Issaquah
Great food and great music

Sun., Sept. 20:  9 pm – 12 am (note:  starting time has changed)
Muckleshoot Smooth Jazz Jam
Great entertainment and dancing.

If you haven’t seen Darren play live yet, you don’t know what you’re missing. He puts on a great show. Find more info. online at www.DarrenMotamedy.com.

This Friday, April 24 local jazz favorite Darren Motamedy and percusssionist Akim the dream will be playing at Vertigo in Bellevue. Vertigo is under new management, has a new menu and is looking to reestablish itself as your go to “jazz joint” on the Eastside.
Show times:  6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Other shows this week:  Thursday – Sips Restaurant, Gig Harbor
Saturday – Tulalip Casino
Sunday – Muckleshoot Casino

For more info. on this gig or other upcoming shows, visit Darren’s website.

Darren Motamedy performs every Sunday night at the Muckleshoot Casino in nearby Auburn.

Here are videos of Darren and his band performing in a recent show:

Darren Motamedy: The World is a Ghetto

Darren Motamedy: Double Cache

Darren Motamedy: Doin’ the Sub

Pat Hill’s Drum Solo

Darren Motamedy: Don’t Cha Know

Last month I had the privilege of writing for Kent Magazine about Darren Motamedy, a popular contemporary jazz artist who is also an award-winning band director for the Kent School District. I’ve interviewed him and I sat through one of his classes at Ridgewood Elementary, but I wanted to hear him play live, so a girlfriend and I went to Kona Kai Coffee Co. (4th and Gowe, downtown Kent) last night to see Darren and his band play. In a word, WOW!

I fell in love with Darren’s music the first time I heard it, but nothing can duplicate walking into a music venue and hearing and seeing him live. Whether he is playing the saxophone, flute or another instrument, you can see that he feels his music, body and soul. At the same time, guitarist Frank Seeberger played some soulful music as part of the group and with solo parts. Percussionist Akim Finch was in his element too with his drums, chimes, wooden frog and other percussion instruments. I tried to dislike Akim because of his Yankees’ hat (I’m a die-hard BoSox fan), but I couldn’t help but love him too.

After a set of smooth jazz, some of Darren’s students played with the band while others did solos including several very talented young ladies from Ridgewood. The show wrapped up with a jam session featuring Darren, Frank, Akim and the seven guest students for the Kona Kai audience, packed with jazz lovers, Darren’s fans and parents looking on. The 3+ hour evening was a great way to wind down after a long week.

“We’re passing music from one generation to the next,” Darren said.

If you get the chance to see Darren Motamedy and his band play locally, I highly recommend it. You can visit his website for scheduled appearances, or see him at Kona Kai Coffee Co., Muckleshoot Casino (Auburn) and other area music venues.

To Darren and company, great show!

Thanks for all of you who follow my blog. I apologize for not being more consistent lately, but with my wedding coming up on 2/14, I’ve had my hands full.

That doesn’t mean that things in Kent haven’t been hopping though! There is so much going on here. People are excited about the ShoWare Events Center, changes at Kent Station, the new Costco in nearby Covington and new shops going into downtown Kent.

I recently had the opportunity to interview Darren Motamedy, an award-winning jazz musician and band director for the Kent School Districts. He was not only talented, but he was also patient, kind, amusing and surprisingly humble. I can see why his students look up to him and how teaching them to play music is such a passion for him. Watch for my profile on him in an upcoming issue of Kent Magazine.