BARRY D.

With one of the most distinctive musical styles in the industry, he pushes the boundaries of conventional jazz, expands the repertoire of Gospel Jazz  and Worship, and creates shimmering, modern POP standards.

Throughout his career, Songwriter/Pianist/Worship Leader/Producer, Barry D. has been celebrated for a surprisingly wide variety of impressive accomplishments, beginning with his stunning piano work as an eight year-old child prodigy.

 “God put it on my heart to go play the piano for the church service and gave me the ability to play songs that I had never played before. It was an overwhelming experience.  From that point, I worked to enhance the gift God had given me.”

Before his 14th birthday, Barry D. had already written, financed and produced his first demo album.

Discipline and inspiration combined to blow open the doors for Barry D. to attend Florida’s prestigious New World School for the Arts, and his discipline propelled him to the top of his class. After making a name for himself in Miami, Barry D. moved half a continent away to the world-renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston. It was there that he learned to merge the theoretical with the practical. It was also a wake-up call for the prodigiously talented young man, because for the first time he found himself surrounded by a class full of musicians whose innate abilities equaled his own including Grammy Winner Roy Hargrove, Lalah Hathaway, Delfeyo Marsalis, Geoff Keezer, Susan Tedeschi, Paula Cole and many others.

The combined diligence and inspiration that had propelled Barry D. through his younger days molded him into the quintessential sideman in Boston’s burgeoning jazz and R&B scene. After graduating, he tackled some of New York’s hottest music halls, who soon became intimately acquainted with the rising star’s mesmerizing music that tickled the imagination with elements of light jazz, R&B, pop, rock and gospel. He shared the stage with such superstars as Phil Collins, Sounds Of Blackness, Sister Sledge, Mint Condition, Jaci Velasquez, Natalie Grant and Helen Baylor; recorded with industry giants like R. Kelly, David Foster, Mario Winans, Linda Eder, Gordon Chambers, Junior Vazquez, and Donna Summer; and wrote songs for such popular recording artists as gospel legend Marvin Sapp. Major labels pursued him for his scintillating ability on the piano. Off-Broadway theater companies wanted him for his cinematic musical sensibilities. Barry was one of the main Keyboard Players for a Cameron Makintosh production called, "Moby Dick".  And after an appearance in a national TV commercial, Barry was courted by one of New York’s hottest talent agency, Abrams Artist, hoping to represent him.  

In addition, his work has garnered him nominations for The Los Angeles Music Awards, The Independent Music Awards, the GMA Dove Awards, and the Stellar Awards.  Barry is also a past winner in the prestigious Billboard songwriting contest and a finalist in the distinguished John Lennon songwriting contest.  His Songwriting skills earned him a call from the Sidney Olympic Commitee looking to use his song for the 2002 Olympics.  Barry’s work has also been featured in numerous publications and Radio Broadcast around the World.

Never one to stand still, Barry D.’s constant desire to grow and evolve musically has earned him admiration and recognition—and kept the critics guessing. So it should come as no surprise that his latest offering, The Piano Player defies categorization. With its hip sophistication, soulful swing, exquisite musical phrasing and depth of emotion, The Piano Player sounds more like a conversation than a performance.