Derrick Gardner’s Birthday Bash with Mark McDaniel, Jeff Sipe & Daniel Seriff

Not to be confused with the other jazz great of the same name, this musician, educator, composer, and arranger proved his chops at an early age, whether it was secular or Christian music. Born in Birmingham, AL, he was constantly surrounded by music, and it was his middle school band teacher who suggested to jazz legend Jothan Callins to tap him as a new member when was looking to include younger students into his outreach program, The Birmingham Youth Jazz Ensemble.

When he was not in school, The Birmingham Youth Jazz Ensemble occupied his life and gave him the opportunity to play on grand stages from the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) Conference to several years at Birmingham City Stages (a now defunct multi-music fest). By the time of his high school graduation, Derrick had garnered the nickname “Assistant Music Teacher”, due to his influence on his fellow classmates in his school’s concert and marching band. He chose to attend Tennessee State University to pursue Musical Education and graduated in 2009 with his degree.

While at TSU, he met the playwright Alvin Moore who called on Derrick to help him write the music for, and become Music Director for The Arts For Christ (TAFC) Band, which is the band behind all of Alvin Moore’s hit stage plays. He’s performed at Porretta Soul Festival (Italy), Africa in April Festival (Memphis), Paducah Summer Festival, and the IBFF of Nashville (International Black Film Festival). He’s also worked with such artists as Johnny Gill, Patti Russo, Shirley Murdock, Lloyd, Keith Robinson, Ellis Hooks, Jonell Mosser, Kaitlin Crosby, and 2003 American Idol winner Rueben Studdard. He’s fluent in musical genres such as Jazz, Country, Christian, Rock, and R&B.