Derrick, aka DJ, is a Georgia Native, creating a new sound and idea for the trombonist world. Derrick's first professional recording opportunity came in 1999 while enrolled at Florida A&M University for the Tallahassee Democrat and Burger King commercials. Before graduating from college, DJ performed on the US tour of "Forever Swing." This experience and performance opportunity led to him performing with Barry Manilow the next year and many other performance opportunities. Derrick created with co-founder trumpeter Philbert Andrews ABOVE STANDARDZZ Hip hop jazz combo. This group included members such as world-renowned baritone saxophonist Jason Marshall. They rocked the north Florida scene with the sounds of Straight ahead and Dirty south music combined. During this time, ABOVE STANDARDZZ performed weekly at Tallahassee's one and only Water Works jazz club and the top French restaurant in the southeast Che' Piere. After graduation, DJ moved to Atlanta and began teaching in the Atlanta area. Following a few years of teaching, DJ began performing in the Atlanta area. During the summer of 2010, DJ was hired to play trombone for the world premiere of Douglas Tappin's "I Dream." During that same summer, DJ appeared in the Farley's Brothers movie "The 3 Stooge's." The following summer, DJ recorded trombone lines on the Rick Ross Gold Album "Teflon Don's, Maybach Music 3 featuring Rick Ross, Jada Kiss, T.I., and Erica Badu. DJ has played with numerous musicians and groups such as Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Holiday, Barry Manilow, Dionne Farris, Wycliffe Gordon, Russell Gunn's Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra, Bumping the Mango, Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band, Gregg Allman Legacy Band, Joe Gransden Big Band, Piedmont Trombone Society, Atlanta Latin Jazz Orchestra, Marcus Lewis Big Band, and a host of other talented and musical leaders of this century. In the past, DJ had the pleasure of performing the musicals Memphis, In the Heights, Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Disney's Newsies! And most recently, Derrick performed on the Nat King Cole Christmas musically directed by world-renowned drummer and three-time Grammy winner, Terri Lyne Carrington. As a recording artist, Derrick performed on the Russell Gunn Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra debut CD Get it How you Live, Pyramids, and recently released The Sirius Mystery opus 4 no.1. Currently, DJ's single "Play 2 Win" is available on iTunes, amazon prime, and he is currently completing his first solo project, "The DJ Encounter"!!!
Currently, Former and Present Memberships and Appointments:
BMI, GMEA, GAJE, IAJE, member of the Fine Arts Task Force for the State of Georgia, Georgia Council For the Arts Teaching Artist, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, The Golden Key Honor Society, Alpha Phi Omega, Prince Hall Mason, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
DJ plays exclusively on BAC Custom Courtois and Warburton's DH3 Mouthpiece!
