By TOM D'ANTONI // Derek Sims co-wrote and performed our theme music, Ghost Jazz with Keith Schreiner. The educator part of his life takes up most of his time but he's been dipping his toe in the electronic pool again during the pandemic. Hear some at the end of our conversation.
You may not know it but our opening music is a tune called Ghost Jazz. The composers have kindly let us use it all these years.
It was written by Keith Schreiner also known as Auditory Sculpture and today’s guest trumpeter, composer and educator Derek Sims.
They called themselves Jazztronica in the early 2000s.
Derek holds the trumpet chair in Mel Brown’s famed Septet, previously held by Thara Memory.
He started the Portland Jazz School in September of 2017, is the Adjunct Professor of Jazz Trumpet and the Jazz Band Director at Portland State University.
What I didn’t know before talking to him today is that he has returned to his Jazztronica period in his newest compositions.
Let’s catch up with Derek Sims.
Eric T. MacKnight
Derek, I really enjoyed hearing this. I have really missed seeing you and Mel and the rest of the band at Christo's since I moved to Canada. I still remember your tremendous "Blue Moon"! Best wishes!