DEREK OLIVE

- Chopper McKinnon – CKCU 93.1 FM Canadian Spaces
“I've been listening to his new album, loving it!”
- Peggy Seeger - Folk Legend
"A talented young muscian...a pleasure to have on stage and listen to."
- Brett Hooton -Folksuite101
"From classical to jazz to folk, the album reveals an up-and-coming musician with a talent for creating music that is richly diverse and, at times, utterly captivating."
“Overall, Our Passing Nows is an impressive debut. The quality of its arrangements, the contributing musicians, and Olive’s songwriting and guitar playing are destined to win new audiences with every listen.”
“His voice is strikingly deep, expressive and playful, frequently calling to mind Steven Page from the Barenaked Ladies."
- Eric Friesen - CBC Radio 2
“We are going to hear more from this fine young composer.”
Derek Olive is a rare musician who stretches sonic boundaries whether on stage with a song and his searing guitar style or in his comfortable chair as a composer. Derek’s insatiable appetite to create and learn new music has lead him to many diverse musical undertakings, from orchestral composing to banjo picking. He approaches all his endeavours with joyous abandon, producing an exceptional sound with creative integrity.
Born and raised in Montreal, Derek studied guitar and composition at McGill University and furthered his studies with a Masters in Music at UBC in Vancouver. In July 2006, Derek released his first vocal album, Our Passing Nows, with its delicious blend of perceptive lyrics and unique instrumental guitar work, reminiscent of everyone from Bruce Cockburn to Michael Hedges. A few of his past endeavours include a featured appearance on Amnesty International’s Voices Rising cd; opening appearances for artists Peggy Seeger and Stephen Fearing (of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings); and festival performances at various venues across North America, including Seattle’s Northwest Folklife and Ottawa’s Chamber Festival.
Derek loves the mountains and has spent a considerable amount of time exploring peaks in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta and the coastal mountains of B.C. He is an avid cyclist and has travelled with his bike in Mexico, Eastern Europe, and the Atlantic Provinces. Derek is co-founder of the Montreal-based Rhythmic Earth Stewards, a non-profit organization that raises money through concerts for community-based organizations who are trying to remedy environmental and social injustices. Derek is also founder of the Montreal Fingerstyle Guitar Association.
You can buy my new cd in Canada through me or iTunes here:
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Or in the USA: