معرفی
Derrick Gardner serves as Associate Professor of Jazz Trumpet and Babs Asper Professor in Jazz Performance at the University of Manitoba's Desautels Faculty of Music, where he directs the University of Manitoba Jazz Orchestra (UMJO). With over twenty years of teaching experience, he has held faculty positions at Long Island University, The New School for Social Research, The Ohio State University, Michigan State University, and The Juilliard School of Music.
His educational background includes:
- Bachelor of Music, Hampton University (Historically Black College and University)
Gardner's research and artistic focus centers on jazz trumpet performance, composition, arrangement, and pedagogy. He emphasizes preserving musical integrity, advising students not to sacrifice compositional vision for playability. His teaching philosophy integrates decades of professional experience performing with jazz legends, positioning him as a guardian of the jazz tradition.
His notable scientific award is:
- Benny Golson Jazz Master Award (2019) from Howard University, honoring his contributions to pioneering, upholding, and teaching jazz.
As a dedicated mentor, Gardner has significantly influenced students including:
- Tristan Martinuson, who composed an original piece for the UMJO concert and credited Gardner's techniques for overcoming compositional obstacles.
- Jared Beckstead, a UMJO musician who highlighted Gardner's expertise derived from his Count Basie Orchestra membership and mentorship under Frank Foster.
His mentorship emphasizes humility, reverence for the music, and rigorous practice to master challenging compositions. As Director of the UMJO, Gardner leads one of Canada's premier student jazz ensembles, providing a critical platform for emerging musicians to develop professional skills through high-level performance and collaboration, thereby strengthening jazz education at the University of Manitoba.
