Bio

Place and Culture

 Derek Douget finely mixes his Louisiana upbringing with his strong individualism and idiosyncratic voice.
 
Raised in the town of Gonzales, Louisiana, an hour from New Orleans, Douget was adopted into a mixed race family. His Cajun father exposed him to all things Acadian from food to music. In a region known for mixing African, Latin, Native American, and European traditions and cultures, Douget celebrates his part in this great community of mixed cultures that has always been a hot bed for jazz musicians.

Childhood/ Early Training/ Young Achievements

From banging away on homemade drums and learning harmonies from church hymnals to his classical musical training and then jazz career, Derek Douget has always had a passion for music. At age ten, Derek started playing the saxophone in his middle school band. By high school, Douget focused his energies seriously pursuing and studying music. He displayed his early talent and drive, and under band director Sheily Bell, Douget earned places in the regional Honor Band (for 4 years), Louisiana All State (for 3 years), the tristate ArkLaTex band (for 2 years) and the regional Honor Choir (for 1 year).
 
While in high school, Douget first heard the recordings of Ornette Coleman, Charlie Parker and Count Basie. These recordings resonated so strongly within him that Derek decisively re-directed his career from playing classical saxophone, to a career in jazz so he could better express his individuality.

Developing His Jazz Voice

 Derek Douget received a full scholarship to The University of New Orleans where he studied under Ed Petersen and was mentored by Ellis Marsalis and Harold Battiste. Douget further advanced his jazz dexterity by completely immersing himself in the great talent of the New Orleans music community. Derek learned from and worked with established jazz “elders” and an eclectic range of bands, from the Latin band Mas Mamones, to the popular Henry Butler, and the traditional clarinetist, Dr. Michael White.
 
The University of New Orleans twice selected Derek, while an undergraduate, to represent the university in bands that performed and taught workshops throughout Western Europe and Israel. By the time he graduated in 1997, Douget had performed with many notable musicians on the New Orleans scene, toured nationally with Nicholas Payton, recorded the movie soundtrack “Soul of the Game” with Terrance Blanchard, and was a member of the Ellis Marsalis Quartet.
 
Playing the alto and soprano saxophones, Derek recorded his debut CD “Perpetual Motion” which he released in 2002. The following year, he made the shift to playing primarily the tenor saxophone that more naturally fit his sound.
 
He then concentrated on earning a Master’s Degree. The University of New Orleans recruited him for their graduate program and their inaugural Louis Armstrong Quintet, a performing group of graduate students dedicated to teaching jazz in New Orleans area schools, with support and funding from the Louis Armstrong Foundation.  In 2005, Douget completed his Master’s program.

Sojourn in NYC

Douget moved to Brooklyn, NY, in 2006, after Hurricane Katrina, and continued to record and tour internationally with a variety of talented musicians, including The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Maurice Brown and Ellis Marsalis.
 
In 2008, the Ellis Marsalis Quartet released “An Open Letter to Thelonious,” a tribute album to Thelonious Monk that presents the collaborative efforts of Ellis and Derek after a decade of playing together.
 
His New York City performances include work as a bandleader and sideman at The Jazz Standard, St. Nick’s Pub, Smalls and Jazz at the Lincoln Center.

Current

At the close of 2009, the saxophonist headed home; he and his wife moved back to New Orleans.  He enjoys playing with the great community of musicians in the city where he developed his jazz voice.
 
Notably, he performed on the 2010 Grammy Winning Album “Book One” with the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra.  The Grammy was awarded for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.
 
Derek Douget has performed/worked with: Nicolas Payton, Ellis Marsalis, Elvin Jones, George Cables, Terence Blanchard, Marcus Roberts, Peter Martin, Billy Drummond, Branford Marsalis, Peter Washington, Randy Brecker, Michael White, Wyclef Jean, Jason Marsalis, Lenny White, Maurice Brown, Jeremy Pelt, Curtis Fuller, Steve Masakowski, Henry Butler, Kermit Ruffins, Alvin Batiste, Roland Guerin, Lew Tabakin, Stefon Harris and many other excellent musicians.