'The piano was my first love and it will be my last'
Jazzpianist Derk de Koning Gans was born into a very musical family. As a child, listening to (jazz) music was as normal as breakfast, lunch & dinner. His father is a man who loves to play rhythm guitar and saxophone. His uncle a professional boogie woogie pianist.
At the tender age of five he starts to learn how to become friends with the piano. His younger years were filled with listening to the Gods of the Jazzworld such as Oscar Peterson, Erroll Garner and Monty Alexander.
Jazz Legend Rob Agerbeek is chosen to teach when Derk is just 14 years old.
One year later he gets awarded a 'Diplôme d'honneur' at the Edith Stein Concours.
At the end of the 90s Electronic Dance Music becomes his Eureka moment: he starts playing keyboards next to performing deejays. This leads to the birth of Future Groove Express (FGE), a platform of deejays, artists and producers. Derk becomes 'Jazzy D', and still uses that as his stage name.
Working with many different artist leads to the next chapter of his life: his work as impresario for fellow artists.
But the list of skills doesn’t stop there. Being a thoroughly schooled musician, it was only a matter of time before he was asked to compose tailor made music for several major brands. In cooperation with partners in music and video, Jazzy can present tailor made solutions for your 'sonic branding'.
Boogie Woogie Battles between Uncle Paul and Derk started allready from then he was a 5 year old child and these 'battles' still are still happening. Simply Lovely!
With the amazing Thomas Pol on contrabas Derk can 'read & write' as they say in Holland. This duo handles the swing style of the old Jazz Masters with grace and groove.
Feel the blues vibes on this video - Jazzy D on piano and Omer Govreen on the contrabass swinging and grooving hard!
PIano action on the Yamaha Concert Grand by Jazzydmusic