Friday June 28th Live At Fat Cat: Derek Frank

Derek Frank's Website

Fat Cat's Website

3 sets of great 70's-inspired funky instrumental jams from Derek Franks and his 5 piece super group.

Derek Frank has shared the stage with such icons as Shania Twain, Gwen Stefani, and Shakira (among many others) as a sideman bassist. In the downtime on these gigs, he discovered a private music world inspired by the cultural debris of his 1970s childhood.

Years ago, the bassist-composer began to write the kind of music he used to hear on 1970s TV and movies. Today, Derek is leaning into the solo artist side of his career with his third solo album, Origin Story, released March 25, 2024 on all streaming platforms with a 2-disc vinyl version plus bonus live tracks available in May. Origin Story boasts Derek’s strongest instrumental jazz-funk compositions to date.

“I used to love the music in Dirty Harry movies, and in the Wonder Woman and The Incredible Hulk television series,” the LA-based artist says. “When I finally found my voice as a solo artist, I decided to make that kind of music along with jazz and funk as the main influences.”

His solo work has garnered critical acclaim from such taste-making outlets as Bass Magazine, American Songwriter Magazine, Bass Player Magazine, Music Connection Magazine, “Everyone Loves Guitar Podcast,” and “The Bass Shed Podcast”. He’s earned favorable comparisons to Lettuce, Vulfpeck, Cory Wong, Snarky Puppy, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Karl Denson (who guests on Origin Story), and John Scofield. Previously, Derek has released Let The Games Begin (2009), and the aptly-titled Eleven Years Later (2020).

Derek’s handpicked quintet features guitarist Joshua Ray Gooch (Derek’s longtime bandmate with Shania Twain), keyboardist Carey Frank (Social Distortion, Tedeschi Trucks Band), drummer Randy Cooke (Smashmouth, Brit Floyd), and percussionist Demian Arriaga (Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers). Also joining the party is keyboardist Matt Rohde (Jane’s Addiction, The Chicks), guitarist Anthony King (Buffy Sainte-Marie), The Fat City Horns, and guitarist Brent Mason, widely-regarded as one to the top 10 session guitarists of all time. Origin Story, and Derek’s previous album, were both produced by multiple Grammy award-winning producer Jim Scott (Tedeschi Trucks Band, Tom Petty, Wilco, Sting) at his vibey, all-analog PLYRZ Recording Studio.

Up next, catch Derek and his band performing in sweaty nightclubs, at jam band festivals, and wherever live groove music is showcased. You can also see Derek rolling through town with major artists at a theater or arena near you—he’ll continue pulling double duty. “I feel grateful to have my day job,” he says. “But now I am also focusing on using my bass playing in service of my own music.”

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- Lorne Behrman

Host or Publisher Fat Cat LV