Derek J. Molacek

Derek began his musical career in Omaha at the ripe old age of three when his parents insisted that he begin piano lessons as a means of physical therapy. At the age of eight, he began to play the euphonium, and a year later started on the trombone. By age twelve, he was performing regularly with the Omaha Press Club show band, performing for (and with, if they ever got bold enough to take the stage) the likes of Miss America 1997 Tara Dawn Holland-Christiansen and Warren Buffet, the second richest person in the world.At the age of sixteen, Derek had received back-to-back full ride scholarships to the Lutheran Summer Music program, and played his first professional gig in the summer of 1999, performing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra. Following this, Derek played first trombone in the Nebraska All-State Jazz Band for two years, and in the spring of 2001, won the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra Young Artist's Competition. That same year, Derek was admitted to the University of Denver, where he studied jazz trombone with Darren Kramer. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Performance in the spring of 2005. Currently, Derek attends the University of North Texas where he is working on his Master's Degree in Jazz Performance, performing with the Three O' Clock Lab Band, and currently studying with Steve Wiest. He previously studied with Tony Baker. In 2006, Derek was a semifinalist in the Rich Matteson Jazz Euphonium Competition, but had to bow out due to a prior committment.Derek is a diverse performer, having played in all kinds of styles, including jazz and classical, as well as hip-hop, funk, and salsa. From 2003 to 2004, Derek was a member of the bebop/r&b/jam band Young Lions Conclave. He has also performed with the O-Tone Brass Band, as well as the Ultraphonic Big Band, and salsa band Conjunto Colores in Boulder. In the summer of 2004, Derek also auditioned for the Omaha Symphony. He has performed with some of the top musicians in Denver, and in the country, including Javon Jackson, Greg Abate, Eric Gunnison, Al Hood, Ken Walker, Peter Sommer, Brad Goode, Greg Gisbert, Art Lande, Paul Romaine, Terrell Stafford, Ira Sullivan, Carl Saunders, and most recently "Blue Lou" Marini to name just a few. He has recently completed seven contracts performing in show bands for Princess Cruise Lines.