Darren Holden

“Holden oozes charisma; he emotes as he sings and he looks down on the characters from his perch (the band is suspended on the catwalks above the stage) like a storyteller. He brought the audience to their feet.” - Molly Bettiga, Voice of San Diego

“Vocalist Darren Holden rocks the ivories and displays superlative talent. He’s clearly destined for bigger fame.” - Ellen Fagg, Salt Lake Tribune

“The marriage of Joel's music and Tharp's choreography has been blessed with the talent of Darren Holden. Opening night was Holden's night to shine and that he did. His strong vocals and keyboard expertise are as close to Joel's as one gets. His interpretation of the music and the emotion behind it drives the show, skillfully maneuvering it through an emotional mine field. Holden topped the night off with a lively rendition of "New York (Richmond in this case) State of Mind." - Joan Tupponce, Richmond.com

“ Darren Holden dazzles Toronto audiences with his keyboard pyrotechnics….the music, played and sung by Holden and his band, will make you want to leap to the stage and start dancing.” - Richard Ouzounian, Toronto Star

“Seated at a baby grand piano is Darren Holden, a singer with biceps bulging out from under a snug black tee-shirt. There's no doubt he is supposed to evoke Joel himself. He plays and sings the songs with the panache of the original Piano Man. Though Movin' Out is about Vietnam, its message now that more than 2,000 American troops have lost their lives in Iraq won't escape anyone who has a relative in the military. The tears that many audience members shed as Holden sang the lyrics ‘And we will all go down together’ are the strongest testament to the show's ultimate success.” - Christopher Blank, Memphis Commercial Appeal

“Holden and his talented band survey more than two dozen of Joel's hits, from sensual ballads to hard-driving, up-tempo numbers…he’s a marvelous pianist and lead vocalist!” - Rick Rogers, The Oklahoman