Darek Oles

Darek Oles began his career in his native Poland, working with saxophonists Jan Wroblewski, Zbigniew Namyslowski, and Tomasz Szukalski.

He arrived in Los Angeles in 1988, having received a scholarship from the School of Music at CalArts, and after graduation in 1992, he became a faculty member. He has since become one of the most sought-after bass players on the West Coast.

He remains busy in studios, concerts, and jazz clubs, freelancing with jazz greats such as saxophonists Charles Lloyd, Joe Lovano, Bennie Maupin, Ravi Coltrane, and Scott Hamilton; trumpeters Tim Hagans, Art Farmer, and Arturo Sandoval; pianists Billy Childs and Brad Mehldau; and drummers Billy Higgins, Joe LaBarbera, Larance Marable, Teri Lynn Carrington, and Albert "Tootie" Heath.