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Darcy James Argue

In 'Real Enemies,' Darcy James Argue Confronts A Post-Truth World

Darcy James Argue conducts The Secret Society in a performance of Real Enemies. NPR hide caption

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Jazz Night In America: Video Episodes And Shorts

In 'Real Enemies,' Darcy James Argue Confronts A Post-Truth World

WBGO and Jazz at Lincoln Center

The Secret Society bandleader says his latest composition explores "the present-day folklore that we call conspiracy theories" — no tinfoil hat required.

In 'Real Enemies,' Darcy James Argue Confronts A Post-Truth World

Darcy James Argue's Secret Society, Live In Concert

Darcy James Argue conducts the Secret Society in a new big-band piece at the 2014 Newport Jazz Festival. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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Adam Kissick for NPR

Newport Jazz Festival

Darcy James Argue's Secret Society, Live In Concert

With a sly salute to fellow composer and big-band leader Duke Ellington, Argue presents the U.S. premiere of a new 35-minute work. It joins other unrecorded tunes during Secret Society's Newport set.

Darcy James Argue's Secret Society In Concert

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First Listen: Darcy James Argue's Secret Society, 'Brooklyn Babylon'

Darcy James Argue's Secret Society's new album, Brooklyn Babylon, comes out April 30. Lindsay Beyerstein/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Lindsay Beyerstein/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Darcy James Argue's Secret Society, 'Brooklyn Babylon'

The composer's second album accompanies an animated work: the tale of a future metropolis where professional aims and neighborhood loyalty square off. It looks like both early-20th-century New York and a bordering-on-dystopian future. Perfect for a ultramodern big band like this one.

Darcy James Argue's Secret Society, 'Brooklyn Babylon'

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Music Interviews

A Jazz Big Band Worth Blogging About

Darcy James Argue leads the 18-piece jazz ensemble Secret Society, which he describes as "steampunk." He also writes one of the jazz world's most popular blogs. And, thanks to his fans and readers, Argue was able to make his first album.

A Jazz Big Band Worth Blogging About

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