Derrick Earl Gardner (born June 3, 1965) 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." Another critic describes him as "Soulful and Intelligent, a tremendous… Read moreShow less
Derrick Earl Gardner (born June 3, 1965) 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." Another critic describes him as "Soulful and Intelligent, a tremendous talent with a vivid and unusual imagination." 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. Since 1989, Derrick has writes for and leads his own sextet known as The Jazz Prophets.
Winner of the 9th Annual Independent Music Awards: Best Jazz Album "Echoes of Ethnicity"
