Artist Biography: Derick “DT” Thompson

“You don’t have to believe anything I say, but everything I do.” – Derick Thompson

A fiery hot bass player born right handed that plays the bass with his left hand, is only the beginning of Derick Thompson’s uniqueness. Amusingly clever in perception and expression, he can only be described as a “gregarious genius”.
Derick Thompson described his style as totally “Bass Ackwards.” Growing up in the 60’s in Pontiac, Michigan, Derick would watch the Jackson 5 and Osmond brothers while dreaming of living that life. “I can do that, I thought to myself. But I found out I can’t sing”, he explained. At the age of 8 years old on Christmas Day, Derick received a guitar. With his mother struggling to make ends meet for Derick and his brother, which most would consider a setback, Derick decided that he would jump that hurdle and teach himself. So, Derick did just that, he taught himself how to play the bass upside down and backwards. This didn’t slow Derick down at all in his mission to succeed, as he quickly starting playing in the church band with his little red bass guitar that the other musicians nicknamed “lunch bucket”. A few years later, Derick and two of his cousins started a band called T&T. When he realized that they could make music that actually sounded good, Derick thought to himself. “This is what I do! I am a bass player.”
Derick has recorded and performed on a major scale with such entertainers as George Duke, Howard Hewitt, Phil Perry, Diane Reeves, Stanley Clark, Billy Cobham, Angela Bofield, Marion Meadows and James “Bam Bam” Price, Keith “Bubby” Webb & Marcus Miller and on unsung with CeCe Peniston. He has performed in cities such as, Chicago, Detroit, Brooklyn, Atlanta, San Diego, Phoenix and Tucson. Derick credits Marcus Miller as his greatest influence however, upon moving to Phoenix Arizona, he would meet one more influencer, Kenny Brown. “When I moved to Arizona, I was considered a “hot dog player” who didn’t have proper structure. One day, Kenny Brown, a local guitar player said, “Derick, everyone knows you can play! But, it would be better if you played what WE were playing.” From that point on, Derick changed his game and his work ethic. Two of Derick’s key moments were, opening with Quincy Stewart and the introduction to George Benson at Meadowbrook Pavilion. “George Benson actually walked up to me and told me that he never liked the song I played on stage… until he heard me play it. That was great! The number one guitarist in the world is giving me props!” Derick stated with a grin.
In 2009, Derick and longtime friend, musician/producer, Keith ”Bubby” Webb reorganized “FLIGHT 407" with a jazzy style, R&B flavor & a Midwest twist. The first album was released in 2013 entitled “Metro to Sky Harbor”. With a few more projects currently in the works, performing in casinos and for the Jazz Festivals, Flight 407 is definitely getting noticed.
Derick’s immediate goal is to take FLIGHT 407 to the next level with more international performances.
Derick is most grateful for God and for leading him to his greatest accomplishment of marrying his wife, Janice Thompson. What is Derick’s motto? Walk slowly, drink pretty of cold water and attend to your own artistry”

• From : Michigan, United States
• Joined : 08-29-2021
• Gender : Male
• Languages : English