The Jazz Organ Scene

Great Britain

Derek Smith Derek (*1931 in London) was a jazz pianist and arranger. He played piano from the age of seven, began performing locally at age 14, and soon began leading his own band. He initially worked for an insurance agency, performed semi-professionally in numerous jazz clubs and won a competition organized by Melody Maker. In 1954 he turned professional and became a member of John Dankworth's band.   In mid-1955 he became part of the New Jazz Quartet (along with Allan Ganley, Harry Klein and Sammy Stokes). The following year he also led his own trio and played with Kenny Baker's Dozen. Since April 1957 he lived in the USA, where he first toured with Art Mooney and then built a career in New York. There were recordings and performances. He toured with Benny Goodman several times in the 1960s and 1970s. Between 1967 and 1974 he played under Doc Severinsen on The Tonight Show. In the early 1970s he accompanied Marlena Shaw. He then led his own trio, but also appeared at festivals with Dizzy Gillespie, Arnett Cobb and Eddie Miller and worked in a trio with Bobby Rosengarden and Milt Hinton. He also toured with Benny Carter in Japan in 1983 and was part of Nick Brignola's sextet. As a studio musician he accompanied Frank Sinatra and Pavarotti. He later also recorded with Bill Watrous. Derek died in 2016.   from Wikipedia

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