Derrick Jackson
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, and the Gregg Allman Legacy Band.
Social Media: Youtube
Arts Disciplines: Music
Core Content Curriculum Areas: Music
Specialized Content Areas: Arts Integration, STEAM
Grade Levels: Pre-K, K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Special Populations:At-Risk Students, Exceptional Learners (students with disabilities as well as those who are gifted and talented
Pre-Service Learning and Professional Development:Post-Secondary/Pre-Service Learning, Professional Development for K-12 Teachers, Professional Development for Teaching Artists
Geographic Availability: Metro Atlanta, North Georgia, Middle Georgia, South Georgia
Program Types:
School-based Classroom Workshop(s), School-based Afterschool Program, School-based Assembly Program, School-based Residency Program, School-based Summer Program
Community-based Workshop(s), Community-based Assembly Program, Community-based Afterschool Program, Community-based Residency Program, Community-based Summer Program
Program Fees:
- Performance fees – $300-Trombone and back ground Track, $1,200- 4 piece combo (Trombone, Drums, Bass, Piano), $2,000- Trombone, Tenor Saxophone, Rhythm Section)
- Workshop fees – $300
- Residency fees – $1,000 per week
Artistic Profile:
Derrick Jackson is a very active trombonist and is known throughout the Atlanta area. During the summer of 2010, he was hired to play trombone for the world premiere of Douglas Tappin’s “I Dream.” During that same summer, he also made an appearance in the Farley brothers movie “The 3 Stooges.” The following summer, he 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. As a musician he has played with numerous musicians and groups such as Billboard award winner Dionne Farris, Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Holiday, Barry Manilow, Wycliffe Gordon, Kebbi Williams, Russell Gunn Krunk Jazz Orkestra, Bumping the Mango, the official Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band, Joe Gransden’s Big Band, Randy Brecker, Jeff Jarvis, Juno award winner PJ Perry, Broadway trumpeter Paul Baron, Atlanta Latin Jazz band lead by Rob Opitz, Mario Fogg’s Brass Band, Marcus Lewis Big Band, Saunders Sermons, Wycliffe Gordon, Randy Brecker, Diron Holloway, Edward Williams and a host of other talented and musical leaders of this century. Last summer, he had the pleasure of performing a two month run of the musicals “Memphis” and “In the Heights,” and now “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” under the musical direction of Ann-Carol Pence at the Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville, GA, and also the Rialto Theatre, in Atlanta, GA. Currently, his single “Play 2 Win” is available on iTunes, Amazon Prime, and he is currently working on his first solo project, “The DJ Encounter.”
Teaching Experience:
Derrick Jackson is currently in his 14th year of teaching in Georgia public schools. He is in his sixth year as director of bands at the Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts. He currently leads a program comprised of two jazz combos, big band, and three symphonic bands. Prior to coming to the magnet school full-time, he served as band director at Morrow Middle School and music teacher at
Hawthorne Elementary School. Mr. Jackson has also had the privilege of conducting the All-County
Middle and High School bands and the All-County Musical “Joseph,” “Willy Wonka,” and the Stilwell
School of the Arts musical performances of “Aida,” “Footloose,” and the Shuler Hensley Musical Awards Honorable Mention for Best Pit Orchestra for “Shrek” and Best Pit Orchestra for “Ragtime.”
Derrick received the Bachelor of Science in Music Education degree from Florida A&M University and the Master of Education degree from Central Michigan University. Mr. Jackson also has served as middle school lead band director and currently serves as a lead high school band director of Clayton County Public Schools. He wrote the middle school band curriculum for all 6th through 8th grade band programs in the district. In 2013, Mr. Jackson was selected by the state of Georgia, as a member of the GACE committee for the music education certification examination. This year, Mr. Jackson was appointed to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission’s Fine Arts Task Force for the State of Georgia.
Sample Programs:
- Introduction to American Music: Students will be lead through a history of American music starting from the roots of slavery in Congo Square to the Hip Hop and Rock culture of today.
- Primary Art Form: Music performance through two or three genres
- Core Content: Music Appreciation
- Grade Levels: P-12 or Adults
- Program Length: 45 min-1 hour
- Facility Requirement: Classroom or gymnasium with capability to set up a sound system and/or rhythm section.
Sample Lesson Plan:
- Listing ID: 6009