Darlene "D" Cavalier  | BIO

Born Darlene D. Cavalier in New Haven, Connecticut, this songwriter is no stranger to the music business. From the time Darlene could walk and talk, she had already been exposed to music from her Grandfather, who performed in a barbershop quartet. In 1966, her Father, Thomas ‘Doc’ Cavalier, in his entrepreneurial sprit, gave up his successful dental practice for an undertaking in the music business. He sold his practice and purchased Syncron Sound, which we know today as Trod Nossel Productions and Recording, Inc.; one of the most successful entertainment companies/recording studios of its kind.  Shortly after Trod was formed, Doc became partners with Andrew Loog Oldham, founder, songwriter, and original manager of the Rolling Stones. At the age of 6, Doc (as he’s known by in the biz due to his actually being a doctor) provided Darlene with an upright piano and the Pogoman’s Guide to Piano. Never taking lessons, Darlene absorbed what she could from the self-taught program and within a month, began playing the piano, mostly by ear.

Darlene recalls going to spend day with Dad at the studio every chance she got to hang around the studio and take it all in. Around that time, a Children’s Album was recorded by the popular, Ranger Andy, in which Darlene, her sister, Cheryl, and several other children were chosen to sing on the album. Both Darlene’s brothers, Tommy and Robbie, also began to get the music bug and became involved in songwriting, singing and production.

Fast forward a few years; and Darlene began to write songs. “She’d sit at the piano and play chords over and over until they just ‘eventually turned into songs’,” her mother, Gail, recalls. “We thought she was talented but she would just never stop playing the piano for hours and hours, and it’s not like the piano was tucked away in a private sound-proof room! Her siblings were always telling her to be quiet after hours of hearing the piano.”

In the late 80’s and early 90’s, Darlene D began to sing and perform publicly. She refused to be in a wedding band or sing cover songs (except one, but only after she completely revamped it, and put it out on her first release). “I just refused to be paid for singing someone else’s songs. If I couldn’t be paid singing my own songs, I didn’t want to do it at all. I didn’t want to ‘sell out,’ even if it meant never performing at all.” ‘Sell out,’ she did not, and her passion was recognized by some industry execs and club owners. Darlene would pack the house wherever she performed because of a dynamic, explosive stage show she single-handedly put together from writing the first note, to the choreography and promotion of the shows, even though she was singing unfamiliar music to her audience. Not for long did her music remain unfamiliar. Shortly thereafter, due to her tenacious self-promotion and marketing tactics, she succeeded in getting her music played on regional top 40 commercial radio and several along the east coast such as WTIC, KC101, KISS Hot 97 in NY and WKSS 95.7 in Hartford, CT.

In the early 90’s, Darlene signed with J-Bird Records; the first world-wide record label on the web, and she released her debut album, “Safari Hunter.” She continued to perform, and most of all, write. “I’d have to say I get the most joy out of being creative … just me and my studio,” claims the songstress. “I love my audience, don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing like the energy and reward you get from a live audience, but I can do what most people won’t; admit someone else sings better than I do. I’m not so stuck on having to ‘be a star,’ as I am on doing what’s best for my craft; the one thing I’m most passionate about. So, I decided I’d rather write, and have someone else perform and sing my songs, because a better singer will do my songs the justice they deserve. Especially now, there is so much really young, really great talent out there which were spawned by the Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Elton John’s of the world.” As far as who has been her inspiration, she claims Elton John is one of her biggest.

Before streamlining and focusing strictly on the songs, Darlene made waves in the business in several ways: she was hired as the musical advisor for an ABC Childrens’ TV pilot called “Monster In My Toybox;” she made numerous TV appearances as a performer and guest host, including the popular Joe Franklin Show for WOR-TV in NYC; she headlined in the majority of her stage performances, but did open for Corina, Coro, and All-4-One at the famous Oakdale Theater in Wallingford, CT; she sang jingles such as the Vaseline Intensive Care with jingle-writers team, Beaux Jingles; she’s done session work as a vocalist and producer, including work on a song called, "Glary Eyes," which was written by B-Boyz who are famous for their work with SWV and on the Free Willy soundtrack with producer, Teddy Riley; appeared in two music videos, once as the lead girl and once as a dancer; being voted “Best Song Released since 1991,” for her 12” single, “I Like You,” and “Best New Artist,” in the mid 90’s by a readers’ poll and was invited to perform at the legendary Toad's Place in the heart of Yale; ranked #1 on the Hitmakers radio list in the NYC underground scene; got rated “Best Performance & Song,” for the now-defunct, C&C Music Factory management company, RPBC in NYC; has been featured in many publications, including appearing as the cover story in several, and has made several TV and radio appearances; she also put together a project called "Simple Song" for submission to Tim Shriver for Special Olympics, originally done by a local girl back in the 60's, dug the old tracks up and revamped it into a gospel-type rendition, Darlene D style, which included Beaux Jingles, gospel powerhouse Yvonne Burgess, Carla Caccavalle and George Simms (of the Simms Brothers and David Bowie tour). Darlene installed a state-of-the-art studio in her home, is currently spending time writing and producing her material with some fresh, new singers, both at home and at Trod Nossel. She also is collaborating with some west coast producers.

Besides being trained in voice, from placement, stage presence and technique, to classical vocal training, Darlene has had extensive dance training (to name a few, Lee Lund and United Rhythms who danced for C&C Music Factory & Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch), modeling (etiquette) and similar training. Last but not least, Darlene D is not just your every day songwriter. She has a degree in Computer Science and Business Administration. “The most surprising thing people find out about me is that I’m kind of a nerd. I love the business end of music as much as the creative side and I love working on my computer programming and building music sites for fun.” Darlene has dabbled in owning and operating two hosting and web design companies called Host-To-Host.com, and JiveWire.net.

She currently is following in Dad's footsteps, writing, producing and placing music with artists and film via her publishing company, SongReel.  As well, she has slipped into the role of Executive Director/CEO with the passing of her famed father, Doc Cavalier, in running his 39 year old entertainment company, Trod Nossel Productions and Recording Studios, Inc.  Trod Nossel has been named by the press to be "the longest running studio of its kind in the world..."

“We pass along in pursuit of that which is illusive, yet attainable; a constant parade of occasions of hope.” --- Darlene D / Thomas ‘Doc’ Cavalier