Explore the mystery of how the melodies and interactions create a palate of life expressions in American Classical Music.

7 MP3 Songs in this album (52:15) !
Related styles: JAZZ: Smooth Jazz, AVANT GARDE: Structured Improvisation



Details:
Born in Pennsylvania in 1972, Derrick Finch grew up in Pittsburgh, and began playing the piano at the age of three. Motivated by his parents, both musical advocates, his attentions evolved to encompass both pop and jazz. âI began improvising on my small Casio keyboard, imitating the recordings my father brought home weekly⦠It was early ear training and self learning.â Derrick played in school bands before meeting and performing with Roy Ayres: âThis was incredible motivational training. I was performing with my parentsâ idol as a teenager.â
While a teenager, Derrick worked with drummer Roger Humphries, and received big band experience with a Dr. Nathan Davis. After graduation, Derrick continued to freelance around Pittsburgh while continuing his studies at the University of Pittsburgh. There he met veteran pianist Frank Cunimondo: âI began studying with Frank who guided me in developing my own signature sound and exposed me further into the history of the instrument.â
After seven years with Dr. Nathan Davisâ ensembles, Finch earned his Bachelors and continued to freelance and with his mentors Roger Humphries, Duane Dolphin and Jimmy Ponder to name a few. Having led his own small groups, Finch returns to school to pursue his Masters of Music degree in Miami Florida.
After performing periodic short stints as a sideman with Ira Sullivan (1998 â 2000) in Miami, Finch migrates to Washington DC and meets veteran bassists Keter Betts, Butch Warren and pianist Shirley Horn (2000 â 02). âBeing on the bandstand with such a musical heroes was such a moving experience.â
In 2002, Finch gets accepted into U.S.C. Thornton School of Musicâs Doctor of Music Arts program in Los Angeles California. Having met Patrice Rushen early in his formative years in Pittsburgh, she accepts him as a musical student and mentor: âI began studying with Patrice who consistently encouraged me to explore various genres and writing styles of music composition.
Finchâs recording, producing, performing, writing, and teaching careers reach into various plateaus of music. Movies: Blind Spot-2006; Television: E.R.-2006, The Smiths-2006, U.S.C. Television-2004 and B.E.T. Jazz-2000; Recording: Washington Ruckerâs My Ballerina (2005) and Barbra Morrisonâs Summertime (2007).
A continual student of the history of Jazz piano, Derrick Finch mentions Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Phineas Newborn, Errol Garner and Ahmad Jamal as some of his main influences. ââ¦If the music does not swing, its not fun⦠the music is an expression of lifeâs experiences that I try to convey constantly.
Finch completes his doctoral degree at U.S.C., owns a small music production company and freelances both locally and internationally as an educator and performer.