Derek Giberson is something of a musical wayfarer.

It's quite accurate to say that he finds himself comfortably at home behind a piano, organ, or other keyboard instrument, but this does little to narrow the scope in defining what he does in musical terms. As a professional keyboardist in the southern Ontario music scene he can be found moving fluidly between folk, soul, and blues gigs, a pop recording session here, a rock session there. Add in the jazz, roots, R&B, funk and classical elements, and it can be seen why he is busy and in demand (over 340 live engagements in between 2009 and 2010 alone). As a sideman he has been heard playing on radio stations such as CBC 1 and 2, JazzFM 91.1, 94.9 The Rock, and others.

Involved in and called upon for many projects both live and studio, Derek plays every Sunday night at the Orbit Room (part owned by Alex Lifeson of Rush fame) with Chris Caddell (solo, Colin James, Sass Jordan), Derrick Brady (Hawksley Workman, Serena Ryder), Cassius Pereira (Jeff Healey, Dylan Wickens) and Ricky Tillo (Lady Gaga) on the storied Hammond B3 organ that has been graced by the fingers of some of the greatest B3 players of all time, is the bandleader on Friday nights downtown Oshawa of the Professors Of Funk, has played regularly in the house band for CarolynT's open R&B/soul/funk/jazz jam at Harlem Restaurant, was a pillar for 3-and-a-half years in weekend house band residency with classic rock giants The Beggars at The Hideout on Toronto's Queen St. West, had substantial involvement playing keys and arranging strings for singer-songwriter Trish Robb's debut album, and covered keys for Durham-based indie-rock band The Champion Heartache, who released their 2nd and final album in 2010 before disbanding as members pursued new projects.

He has also ventured into presenting live solo piano concerts that consist entirely of improvised material. These shows are more than just random - venues with special historical or artistic energy are selected, usually with a grand piano in-house - and these musical explorations are ambitious creative forays that draw on his many musical influences to craft performances that leave an impression on audiences long after they have left.

In 2010 he also branched out into the medium of print, and contributes periodically as a guest columnist for the bilingual Canadian music industry magazine, Muzik Etc. The first column introduced the concept of keyboard players as rhythm instruments and the second column went further into confident approaches to linking up with a rhythm section, with some practical suggestions to expand on that rhythmic vocabulary. His column on studio fundamentals for keyboardists will be appearing in the March-April 2012 edition.

Derek is also an instructor, both in private and group settings, not just teaching piano in the traditional mould; instead, he responds to the propensities, potential, and interests of individual students, encouraging all to find enjoyment in music whatever their tastes and motivations. Eyes, ears, technique, interpretation, improvisation, creative expression, and exploration are all brought into play, and students are taught to be able to understand and digest what they're playing and hearing, not simply be dependant on pages in front of them. He also brings 15-plus years of practical, live experience, critical in giving direction to those students looking towards some sort of professional future in music. Click here for more on lessons.