Founding member and key songwriter of Ben Folds Five. Contributed to work from Sharon Van Etten, Hiss Golden Messenger, War on Drugs, Josh Rouse, amongst others. Produced by Alan Weatherhead (Sparklehorse, Lucero, Daniel Johnson, Cracker). His music was featured in One Tree Hill, Grey’s Anatomy, Chuck, and many others. Central Bridge is the third in this celebrated songwriter’s brilliant series of lyrical solo releases, and his first since 2020’s Remover, which Atwood Magazine called “stirringly tender and gorgeously cinematic.” Central Bridge expands Jessee’s songwriting into increasingly intimate and emotional territory. Opening with paean to his artistic forebears in “Love and Thanks,” the album goes on to make a sustained and consistent statement about the enduring craft of songwriting; the music is lean, the melodies are elegant and hard to shake, and the arrangements are both restrained and lush, with impeccable instrumental performances [including work from NYC saxophone legend Stuart Bogie, as well as bass player Jay Brown (Tift Merritt)] and string arrangements from Spacebomb’s Trey Pollard (Natalie Prass, Faye Webster). Also Available From Darren Jessee: The Jane, Room 217 LP.