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Derek Menchan
A ‘cellist classically trained at the Manhattan School of Music and recipient of it’s Pablo Casals Award for Musical Accomplishment and Human Endeavor, Menchan studied with a handful of the world’s greatest ‘cellists, including Janos Starker and Harvey Shapiro—and also worked with Rostropovich, Laszlo Varga, and others. He served as solo ‘cellist of many orchestras in New York, Florida and Houston, Texas, and has been a recitalist and chamber musician the world over. Menchan is also a multi-instrumentalist and composer, having been a leader of jazz ensembles for the last 17 years.
As a producer, Menchan made his recording debut in the Winter of 2018 with the smash success, “The Griot Swings the Classics,” in which he produced, composed, and performed all the instrumental and vocal lines on the album’s tracks. The subtly political record and take on the recordings and vibe of the Atomic Age, the “Griot” project shot to no.2 in “Hot New Releases” on Amazon, and no. 4, simultaneously, on the site’s Digital Contemporary RnB chart. The album features cameos from Grammy-winning super- producer and engineer Mike Dean, of Kanye, Drake, Tupac fame, former Bill Evans Trio drummer Marty Morell, and former guitarist with Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, Ed Vitale. Currently at work on his first film short, “The Presuming,” and soon to begin a podcast on esoteric themes in popular culture, Menchan is also a PhD candidate in philosophy and religion. He is also at work on what he calls his “Secret Weapon,” his highly secretive second album.
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Derek Menchan: The Griot Swings the Classics
by Jim Olin
Multi-instrumentalist Derek Menchan refers to them as “snapshots in black," and certainly the covers from the American Negro collection on The Griot Swings the Classics delivering a rich history lesson, especially in the context of the shocking racial division happening in the 21st century. But from just a pure musical standpoint, the album is strong and consistent from beginning to end regardless of context. Menchan is an artist who knows a thing or two about great melodies. He ...
read moreNew Derek Menchan Album Is Incredibly Diverse
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Christine King
Derek Menchan is one of the most well-rounded musical talents I’ve had the opportunity to come across in recent times. His output is incredibly diverse, and every single time I get to listen to one of his songs, I am always pleasantly surprised at the fact that I never really know what to expect. Derek is the kind of artist who never settles into his comfort zone, and this new release is a really good taste of what I am ...
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