Derrick Gardner

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Derrick Gardner
Origin Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genre(s) Jazz
Occupation(s) Musician, composer, arranger, band leader, assistant professor of jazz trumpet at MSU
Instrument(s) Trumpet
Years active 1992–present
Label(s) Owl Studios
Associated acts The Jazz Prophets
Website www.impactjazz.com

Derrick Gardner is an American jazz trumpeter from Chicago, Illinois. Critics have described him as "having a way of moving past the notes in a solo and getting into formal realms that make sense and heighten interest."[1]Another critic describes him as "Soulful and Intelligent, a tremendous talent with a vivid and unusual imagination."[2] These are qualities that Derrick has demonstrated as a freelance trumpet player, composer/arranger in New York City and with some of the biggest names in jazz today.

Derrick began playing trumpet at age 9 in his hometown of Chicago, IL. Throughout high school and college, Derrick was recognized by instructors as having “strong improvisational skills and a marvelous imagination.”

Derrick's distinctive style has awarded him worldwide travels while working with such jazz notables as the late Dizzy Gillespie, George Benson, Frank Foster, Jon Faddis, Nancy Wilson, Tony Bennett, Harry Connick, Jr., Joe Williams, Rufus Reid, Clark Terry, Kenny Barron, Stefon Harris and James Moody just to name a few. As composer/arranger, Gardner's music has also been featured with The Count Basie Orchestra[3]. Since 1989, Derrick has writes for and leads his own sextet known as The Jazz Prophets[4].

[edit] Discography

As a Leader
Slim Goodie (2003)

As a Sideman[5]
To Harry Connick, Jr.

  • Oh, My Nola (2007)
  • Harry For The Holidays (2003)
  • Only You (2003)
  • Chanson Du Vieux Carre (2006)

To Brad Leali Jazz Orchestra

  • Maria Juanez (2007)

To Lizz Wright

  • Salt (2003)

To Craig Bailey

  • Brooklyn (2001)

To Ron Di Salvio

  • Essence Of Green: A Tribute To Kind Of Blue (2007)

To Stefon Harris

  • Grand Unification Theory (2003)

To Count Basie

  • Live At El Morocco

To George Gee

  • Swingin' Away (2000)

[edit] References

[edit] External links