Darren Criss | en

Kurt Darren is an established recording artist in South Africa and has been involved in comparing of many launches, beauty pageants and corporate functions since 1990. Kurt shot to stardom after recording his number one hit single "Meisie Meisie". This was soon followed by a string of hits including "Sê Net Ja", "Loslappie" and "Hemel Op Tafelberg" to name only a few. Kurt's live show is energetic and he has also become very famous for his unique dance steps. .

Born in British Columbia, Canada, he spent his childhood immersed in music. He picked up the saxophone at the age of 12 and has been playing ever since. After high school he devoted himself to the study of classical and jazz saxophone earning a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Adams State College (Alamosa, CO) and a Master's degree in Saxophone Performance and Jazz Pedagogy from the esteemed University of Northern Colorado. While at the University of Northern Colorado, Darren studied with renowned classical saxophonist Roger Greenberg and acclaimed jazz educator Gene Aitken. During this time, he was also the...

Darren Benitez grew up surrounded by music. In his earliest years, he loved the sound of his mother and uncle’s voices. Growing up listening to Dennis Pavao, Ledward and Nedward Ka’apana – better known as the “Hui O Hana” – he assumed that this was the way that true Hawaiian music should sound. Yet, during that time, he doubted his own singing abilities and did not envision a career in music. All that changed in 1986 when a neighbor complimented him on his falsetto singing. He was ashamed at first, but in spite of his fears, he left his job...