New York City recording artist Darren Hoffman is the guitarist and co-founder of New Orleans based Uncle Nef, band leader of the NYC trio gorgeous!; founder of Guava Records; creator of the Myxstem; and a faculty member of The Florida State University.

Born in Miami, Florida, Hoffman’s childhood influences were dominated by what records he was able to find, pre-internet. His CD wallet was dominated by blues legends Albert King, T. Bone Walker and Muddy Waters as well as it was filled with the “alternative rock” of the day: Nirvana, Radiohead and Sonic Youth.

While a college student majoring in jazz percussion in New Orleans, Louisiana, Darren dove deep into Traditional Jazz, studying with the “King of Tremé” Shannon Powell.

Hoffman’s new solo work focuses on original songs for guitar and voice that tell stories in style reminiscent of Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits with instrumental improvisation likened to Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain and Carlos Santana.