Jazz Artist Derek Day, Professor: SEBTS & UNC-P
Derek Day is a highly refined Jazz Artist, performing better than ever and producing his absolute best tone playing several instruments enhanced with his [Dave] Gries 35 amplifier (see links below; also includes his '07 Eastman 5th Anniversary AR810 & Dale Unger-designed Martin CF-1 pictured above). Recently University of North Texas' Jazz Professor/Director of the One O'Clock Lab Band Steve Wiest wrote of Derek's performance in Durham: "Man, you were swingin' that day! Glad I got to hear you."
Performing recently mostly for private events, check back here soon as any upcoming public performances will be posted here!!!
As all three members are UNCP Jazz Faculty, the Carolina Jazz Trio (see link below) was honored to be selected to perform in Greensboro last Sept. as part of UNC System President Tom Ross's inaugural festivities.
In North Carolina Derek recently appeared with the Carolina Jazz Trio in Wagram at a winery, Aberdeen at Legacy Lakes with bassist Larry Arnold, at the prestigious Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst with the trio, at the Sly Fox Pub in Southern Pines and Fayetteville's Dogwood Festival. Sly Fox owner Andrew Heisinger wrote: "We look forward to having you again...a great addition to the evening. Thank you."
He also received many compliments when the Carolina Jazz Trio performed at Cardinal Gibbons H. S. in Raleigh. Fairly recently they also performed in Southern Pines, Laurinburg & Pinehurst, NC.
Derek performed Solo Jazz & gave a Master Class at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Nov. 2010.
"Derek, Thank you so much for your kind attention to my students. I enjoyed the class and re-meeting you, so very much."
- Professor Billy Stewart, Guitar at UNC Chapel Hill, Dec. 2010
Please check here often to find out where Derek is performing live Solo, with his own duos/trio/quartets, the Carolina Jazz Trio and as a freelance jazz ensemble performer. He performed with renowned jazz artists Brent Wallarab, Professor of Jazz Studies at Indiana U., and Colin Renick as well as the UNCP [student] Jazz Ensemble at the UNCP Honor Jazz Festival Feb. 19, 2011. Both artists praised Derek's artistry. NC jazz musician Fred Brush said of him after a recent performance in Southern Pines: "You're really playing well." Prince's saxophonist Kenni Holmen, after a 2010 performance at UNC Pembroke, said of Derek: "Wow, you're unbelievable!!!"
Dr. Tim Altman, Chair of the Music Dept. at The University of North Carolina - Pembroke very recently wrote: "Mr. Day is an asset to the [Music] department and the university. He is a great performer and teacher. We are fortunate to have such a strong classical and jazz guitarist on our campus." And in May 2010 Dr. Altman wrote: "He is a tremendously talented guitar performer and teacher. I am always impressed with Mr. Day's ability and knowledge in the classical and jazz genres."
Please call (910) 249-2632, (910) 775-4150 or email derek.day@uncp.edu to book Derek for your upcoming event where you'd like great music.
He performed Jazz with virtuoso trumpet artist Allen Vizzutti, Chicago-based drummer Jesse Nolan at UNCP in early 2010. Jazz Journalist/Critic Owen Cordle (The JazzTimes, Downbeat & The Raleigh News & Observer) called Derek a "superb guitarist" & commented after his Solo Jazz performance at The Borden House in Raleigh NC: "You sounded great." Mr. Cordle also commented after one of Derek's performances: "It was magical!"
Please call or email to direct-purchase his new Jazz CD; &/or recent Solo Jazz Guitar DVD, a live performance.
Since 2009 he gave 18 Solo Jazz performances in N. Carolina & Georgia, 15 others freelancing and 32 with the Carolina Jazz Trio. In addition to many other students, last school year 2010-11 Derek had 8 music majors who are guitar-principal-instrument in his studios; 11 are in his studios this Spring 2012 semester.
Recent successful music-majors-with-main-instrument-guitar graduates from his studios include Daniel Faucette, David Weischedel and James Paradis. Ben Monder, Sheryl Bailey, Eric Byrd, Shea Welch, Vince Mazziti, Stuart Hart, Frank Germance and Jeff Elseroad are all performing music artists who benefit greatly from Derek's tutelage.
He teaches full-time hours from Aug.-May as an adjunct higher-learning Music Educator at two institutions. Since 2004 Derek is Professor of Guitar at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary/The College at Southeastern in Wake Forest NC, where Guitar is one of many students' principal instruments for Music Majors culminating in a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies and Music - Guitar Performance, graduate students' (who already hold bachelor's degrees in a non-music field) Diploma in Music - Guitar Performance, and the Master of Church Music with Guitar as students' principal instrument. Guitar Studies, entry-level classes and beginning through advanced private lessons, are offered for all graduate and undergraduate students in all majors`.
Since 2005 Downbeat-DB-award-winning Derek Day is also a professor at the University of North Carolina-Pembroke, teaching: Classical Guitar, Jazz Guitar, Jazz Improvisation, a 3-credit Jazz Appreciation course; directing Small Jazz Ensembles & Classical Guitar Ensemble; and teaching an entry-level guitar class. Music Majors with Guitar as their principal instrument enroll for 1-hr./2-credit private lessons each semester.
At UNC-Pembroke Jazz Guitar is a Principal Instrument when students pursue the Bachelor of Arts - Music Business degree; no classical guitar is required. Classical Guitar is also an option,
and is the Guitar-principal-instrument focus for all other undergraduate Music Degrees including the Bachelor of Music.
For Music Majors as well as those in other majors, a Minor in Jazz Studies is available. Private lessons are sometimes available each semester for a few students who are not music majors, & the guitar class is open to all non-major guitar students who want to eventually take private lessons. In Spring 2010 two graduate students in other majors took Private Guitar. Also in Spring 2010 Derek taught Jazz Improvisation to one music major at the master's level.
In addition to one other, this semester Derek is directing the highest level UNCP Small Jazz Ensemble as in Fall 2011 his Small Jazz Ensembles performed on 2 concerts marvelously. Last Spring semester he directed 3 UNCP Small Jazz Ensembles; they also gave wonderful performances.
Since 2007 he has also taught 400-level 3-credit Jazz Pedagogy and 300-level Jazz Composition. Several music master's degree programs with guitar as students' principal instrument are also in place at UNCP.
Since 1980 Derek performed and recorded with a long list of Jazz Artists including Red Rodney, Bob Moses, Drew Gress, Gary Thomas, Larry Kinling, Terrell Stafford, Tim Warfield, Paul Gill, Ira Sullivan, Clay Jenkins, Robert Jospe, John D'earth, Frank Mantooth, bassist John Adams, Tony Campise, Ed Calle, John Hart, Neil Bonsanti, Mike Formanek, Tom Mitchell, Steve Gould, Chris Bacas, Mike Carrick, Louis Bellson, Allen Houser, Chris Battistone, Mario Cruz, Steve Bailey, Steve Bagby, Tom Baldwin, George Hyde, Dominic Smith, Glen Cashman, Steve Meador and Sheryl Bailey.
Derek studied guitar with many including Jazz guitar with Randall Dollahon [UM], Bill Bresnehan [Berklee] & former Dinah Washington guitarist Walt Namuth; at Shenandoah Conservatory, University of Miami and Berklee. In Miami Derek also studied Jazz Improvisation, Composition & Conception with Vince Maggio, Ron Miller, Whit Seidner, David Roitstein and Andrew Sterman. In 1982 under Ron Miller's direction Derek was in the U. of Miami Avant-Garde [Jazz] Ensemble, which won a Downbeat Magazine Oustanding Performance DB Award.
On "Maximum Award Jazz Scholarship" and a special undergraduate jazz teaching assistantship (which included directing the entire Small Jazz Ensemble program), he studied at Texas Tech University culminating in Dec. 1995 with his receiving the Bachelor of Music cum laude in Classical Guitar Performance. He then moved to Buffalo, successfully auditioned for and enrolled in State University of New York at Buffalo's graduate program in Classical Guitar Performance, where he received the Master of Music in 1999.
In 1989 Derek was very fortunate to have studied for a week with legendary Jazz composer/guitarist Jim Hall.
From 1984-93 he was 1/2-time Adjunct Lecturer in Guitar at McDaniel College in Maryland (formerly Western Maryland College). Derek also taught privately a great deal there from 1975-78 and 1983-93. More recently he was Adj. Instructor of Guitar at Fayetteville [NC] Technical Community College from 2002-05 & from 2000-02 he was a Full-Time Music Teacher for Sampson Co. [NC] Schools. With no guitar assistantship at S U N Y/Buffalo due to its small program, he also taught a great deal while earning his master's, including at The Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart 1997-2000 and 5 Buffalo-area music stores.
From 1978-2001 he performed/studied in master classes given by Classical Guitar virtuoso Manuel Barrueco (four 5-day classes held at Baltimore's Peabody Conservatory in Junes of 1998, 1999, 2000 & 2001), Oscar Ghiglia,
John Holmquist, Dr. Nicholas Goluses, Pat Metheny, The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Dr. Stanley Yates, Michael Andriaccio, Mike Stern (2),
Jaco Pastorius, Miroslav Vitous, Juan Mercadal, Dizzy Gillespie,
Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, Sir Roland Hanna, John Abercrombie (2), Dr. David Baker and Jerry Hahn.
While finishing his B.Mus. Derek was an integral member/very-often-featured improviser of the Texas Tech University "Jazz Ensemble 1" during the years of their recording the 1998-Grammy-nominated "Seein' the Light...Hearin' the Hub-Tones" (Sea Breeze Recordings).
He had a very active performance career from 1976-78, 1979-81 and 1982-99 from Miami to Maryland/Pennsylvania/D.C. to Virginia to Texas to Buffalo to Massachusetts. This includes from working in a very successful cover band beginning at age 15; working as 1/3 of/leading his own highly acclaimed jazz trios, 1982-95, in the Baltimore/D.C. regiom with Drew Gress bass & Jon Seligman drums, at Hub City Brewery in Lubbock TX, Miller's in Charlottesville VA when the now-infamous Dave Matthews was a young teen busing tables, and while in Texas backing Joe Ely & now-well-known vocalist Natalie Maines (now of Dixie Chicks) when she was singing Shania Twain and Aretha Franklin covers, to playing with a very popular Miami cover band 5-7 nights per week 1980-81 and with a great NYC-based jazz ensemble led by John D'earth/Robert Jospe who were on the Newport Jazz Festival rosters in 1982.
Derek appeared as a Solo Classical Guitar Recitalist regularly on the roster of St. Paul's Cathedral's FRIENDS OF MUSIC series in Buffalo from 1996-2000, at McDaniel College (Maryland) as a part of the Mackenzie Music Series where he also gave a master class for both Jazz & classical guitar students and a Jazz clinic, recently at Mount Olive College's Rodgers Chapel, and at many other locations including music venues on the east coast and in Texas. He was a concerto soloist near Buffalo with the Cheektowaga Symphony.
Derek is available as a solo performer: recitals, full concert programs, private affairs for any occasion; and/or clinician: clinics or master classes for Jazz students, all instruments, and Classical & Jazz Guitarists.
The following are quotes regarding his Teaching, Performances and reputation:
"It's been an awesome semester and I've learned a lot." - First-year scholarship-award-winning Music Major, Guitar-principal-instrument, UNCP, May 2011
"You have been a wonderful instructor." "I was happy that I could learn from such a great professor." "I have really enjoyed this semester and I have learned a lot. Thank you for the help."
- 3 Students in Private Lessons Spring semester 2011, UNCP, May 2011
"I think you're a great teacher!!" - Student in Intro. to Jazz Appreciation at UNCP Fall semester 2010, Dec. 2010
"Mr. Derek is very courteous and I really enjoyed having him as my instructor. I have learned a lot from him and personally." Anonymous Guitar Student Evaluation, May 2010 - UNCP
"I think that you [Derek] are an outstanding addition to our faculty...You are a strong teacher in multiple disciplines. We want to keep you here."
- Dr. Tim Altman, Chair, Dept. of Music - UNC-Pembroke Aug. 2008
"Mr. Day has made a positive impact on the guitar and jazz programs. Growth in the guitar studio, as a result of his outreach and reputation... He continues to be an asset to the department; his contributions are noted and appreciated."
- Dr. Janita Byars, 2007 former Chair, Dept. of Music - UNC-P
"...overall, BRAVO!!" "You seem to have a knack for this kind of thing [a piece by Mauro Giuliani]."
- Oscar Ghiglia, 1997
"His [jazz] playing was already at a high professional level when he came [to TTU in 1993] and improved while he was here. His performances in local venues during the time he was here made him something of a legend in west Texas. ... Derek has professional ethics of the highest standards and is knowledgeable in many areas. He may be counted upon to do a first rate job at whatever he undertakes."
- Dr. James G. Bogle, Professor Emeritus of Guitar (taught at TTU 1978-95) - Texas Tech University, 1996
"Every time I hear you, you're getting better & better!"
- Manuel Barrueco, 2000
"I wish I could play like that!!" - Sheryl Bailey, Jazz Artist, regarding Derek's playing after a 1993 performance in Pennsylvania with Drew Gress & Jon Seligman
"That was very clear playing." - Jim Hall, jazz-guitar living legend, 1989
"Very good, very good! You're playing has great shape." - John Abercrombie, renowned jazz guitarist, 1990
"You sound great!!"
- Dr. Glenn Caluda, Dec. 2004 Associate Professor of Guitar, Conservatory of Shenandoah University, Winchester VA
Derek acknowledges the support, advisement, mentoring and modeling of U. of Miami Frost School of Music's Professors Randall Dollahon (Jazz Guitar) Ron Miller, Whit Seidner & Vince Maggio; Shenandoah Conservatory's Dr. Glenn Caluda, Berklee's Bill Bresnehan & Ed Tomassi and Derek's main classical Guitar Teacher/mentor/advisor/TTU scholarship sponsor at Texas Tech: Dr. James Bogle. He is very grateful for the teaching & support of these major professors while he was a student. He is also grateful for Alan Shinn's vision in bringing him to Texas Tech.
While in Texas Derek also worked regularly as Jazz vocalist Carla Helmbrecht's guitarist, often appearing at Jazz - a Louisiana Kitchen, The Lubbock Club and The Cactus Theater and many other venues. He can be heard accompanying on her first CD: "One for My Baby," best represented on the track "Dream a Little Dream." His experience as a Jazz Artist and award-winning music scholar is a testament to his ability to help nearly any instrumentalist at any level grow and blossom in the Jazz Genre.
Send E-Mail to: derek.day@uncp.eduCopyright © 2012 Derek Day. All Rights Reserved