Derrick Gardner & the Jazz Prophets
April 8, 2011 - 8pm
Jazz trumpeter Derrick Gardner, inspired by the finest hard-blowing funky bop bands of the 1960s, returns to his alma mater Hampton University for a one night only performance sure to knock your socks off!
Regarded highly as a strong, imaginative improviser, Gardner quickly made his mark on the New York City jazz scene in 1991. This enabled him to travel the world playing top-flight jazz – including five years in the Count Basie Orchestra, as well as work in Frank Foster’s Loud Minority Band, Harry Connick Jr.’s Big Band, The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and Swiss tenor player Roman Schwaller’s European sextet.
Gardner formed his own sextet, The Jazz Prophets, in 1991 and 19 years later it continues to be the primary vehicle of his distinctive, hard-driving music. The band’s three-man horn line, consisting of Derrick, tenor sax player Rob Dixon and Derrick’s brother, trombonist Vincent Gardner of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, has been together since the beginning. The Jazz Prophets’ latest recording, “Echoes of Ethnicity,” has earned numerous accolades, including “Best Jazz Album 2009” by Music Resource Group (MRG).
"Soulful hard-bop that hearkens back to the groups of Cannonball Adderley and Horace Silver." -- DownBeat
Tickets can be purchased online by visiting TicketMaster or by calling the Convocation Center Box Office (757.728.6800. Monday - Friday, 9am - 4:30pm).
