|
|
DEREK TRUCKS BAND
Biography
|
Derek Trucks Band
Biography
Derek Trucks - Guitar
Todd Smallie - Bass & vocals
Yonrico Scott - Drums, percussion & vocals |
Kofi Burbridge - Keyboards, flute & vocals
Mike Mattison - Lead vocals
Count M'Butu - Congas and percussion |
The Derek Trucks Band has been a work in progress for over
10 years, blending jazz, rock, blues, Latin, Eastern Indian, and other world
music into the sound that now defines the DTB. The band's mission has been to
assemble a group of musicians that share a passion for improvisation and musical
exploration, and to develop a united musical vision by performing with this
core group of players for an extended period of time. The focus of the band
is on the art form itself, despite the current trend of image-driven music on
the scene today. The DTB aims to create progressive roots music in an effort
to move the art form forward and re establish substance over hype. Following
is a brief history of the band, and the diverse background of the musicians
that make up the DTB.
Derek Truck's musical career began at the age of nine, when
he picked up a five dollar acoustic guitar at a yard sale. "It was nothing
special," he claims, “It was just the only thing that looked interesting."
But that seemingly inconsequential purchase changed his life. After learning
what he could from his father and a family friend, Derek began playing with
other musicians around town. "It happened pretty quick," Derek remembers.
Within the span of a single year, he had purchased an instrument, learned how
to play, and began touring - with his father acting as road manager / chaperone.
What had begun as a weekend activity quickly became a life’s pursuit,
and would eventually result in Derek being the youngest player to make Rolling
Stone's "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" list.
Derek got his first paying gig at age 11 and formed his first
band at age 12. Todd Smallie, who played with many jazz and blues musicians
in the Atlanta area, entered the picture in 1994, when Derek was 15 years old.
"We have so many stories and so much in common," says Derek, "It's
been an amazing experience with him."
In 1995, Yonrico Scott rounded out the band's permanent rhythm
section. More than 20 years older than Derek, Yonrico brings an incredible lifetime
of experience to the table. Like Derek, Yonrico began to play music at an extremely
early age, picking up the drums when he was only 7 years old, playing gospel
music in church. While growing up in Detroit, Yonrico studied under Motown drummer
George Hamilton before moving south to attend the University of Kentucky, where
he received a Bachelor's Degree in percussion performance.
Born in the Bronx, raised in Washington, DC, Kofi Burbridge
first picked up the flute at age 6. He soon began ear training and studying
theory at the same time. Kofi's musical education was rooted in classical and
jazz - for the flute. While attending college at the North Carolina School of
the Arts, Kofi landed his first touring gig. Eventually making his home in Atlanta,
Kofi took advantage of numerous opportunities to play with his brother Oteil
(bassist extraordinaire) and a host of like-minded, enthusiastic musicians.
He joined the Derek Trucks Band in 1999.
In 2002, The Derek Trucks Band heard about vocalist Mike Mattison
after recommendations by both DTB producers Craig Street and John Snyder in
the same week. Mike had been performing and recording as part of a duo called
Scrapomatic in the New York area. Mike performed with The Derek Trucks Band
for several gigs and Derek soon realized he had found the final piece of the
puzzle. Mike's soulful voice and understated stage presence fit the band's musical
vision and Mike worked into a full time position with the band shortly thereafter.
Mike, originally from Minneapolis, lived and played in Brooklyn for a number
of years before finally being drawn to the Southeast and settling in Atlanta
with the rest of his DTB bandmates.
Count M'Butu has been the mysterious sixth member of The Derek
Trucks Band for the last six or more years. He is the only band member that
doesn't perform on every tour, but his presence with the band has become more
frequent over time and the band always elevates their playing when he graces
the stage. Born in Georgia in 1945, Count M'Butu studied music at Georgia State
University and learned the art of drum making while in Africa, where he developed
his love for and prowess on a variety of percussion instruments. He has worked
with a wide variety of musicians, including Col. Bruce Hampton & the Aquarium
Rescue Unit, Frank Zappa, and Chuck Leavell and has shared stages with Widespread
Panic, Blues Traveler, the Allman Brothers Band, and Phish.
|
|
Songlines Live DVD (2006) |
|
Songlines (2006) |
Live at Georgia Theatre (2004) |
Soul Serenade (2003) |
Joyful Noise (2002) |
Out of the Madness (1998) |
The Derek Trucks Band (1997) |
MANAGEMENT
Blake Budney - management@derektrucksband.com
BOOKING
Entourage Talent - booking@entouragetalent.com
PUBLICITY
Blake Budney - management@derektrucksband.com
| 
