The Mighty Third Rail
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The Mighty Third Rail

New York City, New York, United States

New York City, New York, United States
Band Spoken Word Comedy

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"An Absolute Marvel"

"Darian Dauchan is an absolute marvel on the stage: smart, powerful and fearless. Dauchan is one of those rare poets who can have you doubled-over in laughter one moment, and awestruck to silence the next. I'm always excited to see what he does next."
-Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz:Founder of the three-time National Poetry Slam Championship venue, NYC-Urbana, and author of the book, "Words In Your Face: A Guided Tour through Twenty Years of the New York City Poetry Slam" (Soft Skull Press) - Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz:Founder of the three-time National Poetry Slam Championship venue, NYC-Urba


"An Absolute Marvel"

"Darian Dauchan is an absolute marvel on the stage: smart, powerful and fearless. Dauchan is one of those rare poets who can have you doubled-over in laughter one moment, and awestruck to silence the next. I'm always excited to see what he does next."
-Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz:Founder of the three-time National Poetry Slam Championship venue, NYC-Urbana, and author of the book, "Words In Your Face: A Guided Tour through Twenty Years of the New York City Poetry Slam" (Soft Skull Press) - Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz:Founder of the three-time National Poetry Slam Championship venue, NYC-Urba


"Credible! Riveting! Engaging!"

"Darian Dauchan begins with probably the most important onstage skill - the ability to be absolutely and utterly believed at all times. To this he adds a brash and well thought-out political understanding that rivets the listener, that holds us (whether or not we agree with his viewpoints) in thrall. Further, his sense of humor is engaging enough as to make him affable, draw in his listeners and infect them with art. He is well worth the price of admission."
-Roger Bonair-Agard :Two-Time National Slam Champion and co-founder of The louderARTS Project - Roger Bonair-Agard :Two-Time National Slam Champion and co-founder of The louderARTS Project


"Credible! Riveting! Engaging!"

"Darian Dauchan begins with probably the most important onstage skill - the ability to be absolutely and utterly believed at all times. To this he adds a brash and well thought-out political understanding that rivets the listener, that holds us (whether or not we agree with his viewpoints) in thrall. Further, his sense of humor is engaging enough as to make him affable, draw in his listeners and infect them with art. He is well worth the price of admission."
-Roger Bonair-Agard :Two-Time National Slam Champion and co-founder of The louderARTS Project - Roger Bonair-Agard :Two-Time National Slam Champion and co-founder of The louderARTS Project


"Classic"

"Darian Dauchan's ability to commit to the writing and performance of poetry is classic in its social timing and manipulates the audience's hunger for more self less and aware artists."
-Mahogany L. Browne, Owner of PoetCD.com, Publisher & Slammistress of The Nuyorican Poets Cafe - Mahogany L. Browne, Owner of PoetCD.com, Publisher & Slammistress of The Nuyorican Poets Cafe


"Classic"

"Darian Dauchan's ability to commit to the writing and performance of poetry is classic in its social timing and manipulates the audience's hunger for more self less and aware artists."
-Mahogany L. Browne, Owner of PoetCD.com, Publisher & Slammistress of The Nuyorican Poets Cafe - Mahogany L. Browne, Owner of PoetCD.com, Publisher & Slammistress of The Nuyorican Poets Cafe


"Everything A Poet Should Be"

"Dauchan is funny, polished, political, reflective, and surprising: everything a poet should be in the 21 st century."
-Taylor Mali: 4-timeNational Poetry Slam Team Champion - Taylor Mali: 4-timeNational Poetry Slam Team Champion


"Everything A Poet Should Be"

"Dauchan is funny, polished, political, reflective, and surprising: everything a poet should be in the 21 st century."
-Taylor Mali: 4-timeNational Poetry Slam Team Champion - Taylor Mali: 4-timeNational Poetry Slam Team Champion


Discography

Death Boogie
Classic

Photos

Bio

The Mighty Third Rail is an award winning New York based trio that mixes the elements of Hip Hop poetry, beat-boxing, violin and upright bass. From poetry cafes to colleges to concert halls, whether it's jamming at the legendary Nuyorican Poets Cafe, opening for Reggie Watts, or performing at the prestigious Lincoln Center , The Mighty Third Rail undoubtedly delivers. Featuring the dashing Darian Dauchan on vocals, the indelible Ian Baggette on bass, and the courteous Curtis Stewart on violin. This bold, urban collective pushes the boundaries of Jazz and Hip Hop to define the next generation's voice. They are the winners of the 2012 Musical Theatre Matters award for BEST New Music at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland and are 2013 American Music Abroad Finalists for the U.S. State Department.

THE POET: Darian Dauchan is an award winning solo performer, actor, and poet who has appeared on both Broadway(Twentieth Century starring Alec Baldwin and Anne Heche) and Off Broadway theatre(Jean Cocteu Rep., Classical Theatre of Harlem). TV credits include Law and Order and Nickelodeon's Bet the House, as Darian the "SoundFX" Guy. In the past 6 years Darian has also embraced the art of Spoken Word/Performance Poetry and within his first three months had won slams at all three major poetry venues in New York City. He was a member of the 2006 National Poetry Slam Team for the legendary Nuyorican Poets Cafe, was crowned the 2007 Urbana Grand Slam Champion for the Bowery Poetry Club, was a 2008 Nuyorican Grand Slam Finalist, and was the 2009 New Word Artist for Urban Word NYC. He has toured across the country at poetry venues, including the famous Green Mill in Chicago, and has also performed at colleges that include the prestigious Yale University, FIT, and New York University. His popular Obama poem during the historic 2008 election has received over 69,000 views on YouTube and counting. He's currently featured on the FIAT Storyteller's Series. Most recently he received a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, was awarded a diversity scholarship from the Upright Citizens Brigade for sketch comedy and improv, is the 2012 winner of the Jerome Foundation's Stakeholder's Choice Award in association with Bowery Arts and Science, and his show Death Boogie, A Hip Hop Poetry Musical, won the 2012 Musical Theatre Matters award for BEST Innovation of a Musical at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.

THE VIOLINIST: Curtis Stewart is a New York City based freelance violinist. A recent graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Curtis has performed as a soloist with the National Repertory Orchestra and with Akua Dixon in her Hip-Hop Blues project at Aaron Davis Hall. He has made chamber music appearances in the Rochester International Jazz Festival and the Beethoven Institute at the Mannes College of Music. Curtis’ eclectic background has led him to concerts in many different realms of music from the avant-garde jazz Vision Festival and MTV specials with Wyclef Jean, to appearances at Carnegie Hall with the New England Symphonic Ensemble, and stints at the Jazz Gallery with Jason Lindner. Curtis is excited to continue expanding his stylistic and expressive range in New York’s boundless music scene and is the 2012 NAMN Eastern Region Champ.

THE BASSIST: Equally at home at Small's Jazz Club, on tour in South America, or major stages like at the FIFA World Cup, Ian J. Baggette has played with or opened for such artists as: Abdullah Ibrahim, Mulgrew Miller, Darius Brubeck, Steve Wilson, Patience Higgins, Frank Kuumba Lacy, Bill Saxton, Dan Faehnle, Phil DeGreg, Melvin Peters, Sundar Viswanathan, The Roots, Snoop Dogg, Sean Paul, and George Benson. Ian grew up as the son of a music therapist from Dayton, Ohio listening to everything from The Ohio Players to Sergeant Pepper. In high school he discovered the bass and became involved with an original rock band and collaborated on many different local projects. Soon after receiving a scholarship to Miami University, he immersed himself in jazz and classical music. In 2006 Ian studied in Durban, South Africa. During his stay he worked with local and international acts including The South African Jazz Orchestra and the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic. In 2009 after finishing University, he moved to New York City where he currently studies with Ron Carter as well as maintains an active performance schedule.