Derrick Tabb facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Derrick Tabb
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Tabb (on snare drum) in a second-line parade in New Orleans (2007)
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| Background information | |
| Born | May 27, 1975 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, educator |
| Instruments | Drum |
Derrick Tabb is a talented American musician. He plays the drums and is a long-time member of the famous Rebirth Brass Band. He also helped start a special program called The Roots of Music. This program helps kids in New Orleans learn music and get help with their schoolwork after school. Derrick grew up in New Orleans, in a neighborhood called Tremé.
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Early Life and Music
Derrick Tabb was born in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana. This area is famous for being "The Birthplace of Jazz." He started playing drums when he was only 7 years old. By the time he was 11, he was already earning money as a professional drummer.
Derrick went to Andrew J. Bell Middle School. He joined the school band there. He often says that his middle school band director, Donald Richardson, helped him a lot in his life and career.
Derrick's Music Career
In 1994, Derrick Tabb and some friends started a band called Loony Tunes Brass Band. Later, they changed the name to Hot 8 Brass Band.
In 1996, Derrick left Hot 8 to join the Rebirth Brass Band. He plays the snare drum for them. In 2012, as a member of the Rebirth Brass Band, Derrick won a Grammy Award. This award was for their studio album called Rebirth of New Orleans. It won in the Best Regional Roots Music Album category.
Helping Kids with The Roots of Music
After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, many schools had less money for music programs. Derrick Tabb and Allison Reinhardt saw this problem. In 2007, they decided to do something about it. They started The Roots of Music. This is a special after-school program for kids aged 9 to 14 in New Orleans.
The Roots of Music helps about 140 students every year. Many more students want to join, showing how popular and important the program is. Derrick's goal was to give a new generation of kids the same great experience he had in his own middle school band.
How The Roots of Music Works
The program runs from Monday to Thursday. School buses pick up students from many middle schools in New Orleans. They take the students to the Roots of Music building in the Tremé neighborhood.
First, students get help with their homework and schoolwork from volunteers. After that, they get music lessons from local teachers and professional musicians. Before going home, students also get a hot meal. The program is completely free for the students. It relies on donations and volunteers to keep going.
Awards for The Roots of Music
Derrick Tabb and The Roots of Music Crusader Band have received many awards. These awards are for their great work in both academics and music.
- In 2009, Derrick was a top finalist for the CNN Heroes Award.
- He also received the Blue Cross Blue Shield Angel Award in 2011.
- The City of New Orleans gave him special honors in 2009 and 2012.
- The State of Louisiana honored him in 2011 for his work with kids.
In 2013, The Roots of Music Crusader Band marched in the famous Tournament of Roses Parade in California. A 6-year-old boy named Lawrence Honoré Jr. was the youngest person ever to march in that parade, as part of their band.
In 2015, President Barack Obama visited New Orleans to mark 10 years since Hurricane Katrina. A small group from The Roots of Music performed before his speech. The president even praised the band during his talk.
"The Tremé Two" Incident
In 2007, Derrick Tabb and his brother, Glen David Andrews, were involved in an event in the Tremé neighborhood. They were honoring a fellow musician, Kerwin James, who had passed away. Many musicians and people gathered to celebrate James with music.
This event caused a lot of discussion in the community. Street parades and music gatherings are a very important part of New Orleans' history and culture. The community supported Derrick and his brother, calling them "The Tremé Two." This showed how much the community valued their cultural traditions. The incident was even shown in a TV show called Treme, with Derrick and his brother playing themselves.
Music and TV Appearances
Derrick Tabb has played the snare drum on all studio and live recordings by the Rebirth Brass Band since 1997.
He has also appeared as a guest artist on other music projects. For example, he played with the Roots of Music Crusader Band on a song by Ani DiFranco in 2012. He was also featured on the movie soundtrack for For Colored Girls in 2010.
Derrick also helped write some songs for the Rebirth Brass Band, including:
- "Do It Again" from their Grammy-winning album Rebirth of New Orleans (2012)
- "Move Your Body" and "Rebirth Groove" from the album Move Your Body (2014)
TV Shows and Films
Derrick Tabb has appeared in several TV shows and films:
- The 3rd Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute (2009)
- CNN's Larry King Live (2009)
- HBO's Treme (2010-2013): He appeared in several episodes, sometimes playing himself.
- 48 Hours Presents: The Whole Gritty City (2014): This episode won an award for its story.
He also appeared in the film The Skeleton Key (2005) as a member of the Rebirth Brass Band. In the documentary The Whole Gritty City (2013), he appeared as himself, preparing The Roots of Music Crusader Band for the Mardi Gras parade season.
Awards and Honors
Derrick Tabb has received many awards for his music and his work with children:
- 2009 - CNN Heroes (Top Finalist)
- 2009 - City of New Orleans Proclamation
- 2011 - Blue Cross Blue Shield Angel Award
- 2011 - Young Leadership Council Role Model Award
- 2011 - OffBeat Magazine - Best of the Beat Award for Music Education
- 2012 - (with Rebirth Brass Band) Grammy Award for Best Regional Roots Music Album
- 2012 - City of New Orleans Proclamation
- 2015 - Katrina First Cultural Responder (Honoree)
- 2015 - Louisiana Children's Museum Silver Linings Award (Honoree) for "making a lasting and positive impact on the lives of young children in the community following Hurricane Katrina."
See also
- Rebirth Brass Band
- The Roots of Music
- Tremé (neighborhood in New Orleans)
- HBO's Treme TV show
