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WOMADELAIDE 2001
program highlights
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DJ Derek |
DJ
Derek is not the standard turntable spinner: he used to be an accountant,
has a major cardigan habit and is in his late 50's. Derek kindled
in his love of music in the 1950's as a washboard player in a skiffle band
before taking up the drums. Realising his taste was contrary to popular
music and not enjoying the "wishy washy rock 'n' roll" of that era, he
turned to the R&B sounds coming out of black America. In the
thirty-odd years that followed, Derek not only packed up the drums and
saw the end of his accountancy career, but took the bizarre step to become
DJ Derek. Influenced by his 1950's Jamaican and British upbringing,
he began to explore the "sweet memory sounds" of ska and reggae.
Since then whether satisfying large crowds around the world or punters
at a back street Bristol pub, DJ Derek has continued to blow away audiences
with his unique selections. This ska and reggae maestro creates an
unusual act - a middle aged white man in a suit and tie who MCs in Jamacian
patois and has an incredible collection of 26,000 reggae and ska tracks
all transferred from vinyl to mini disk.
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