I will never, ever forget.

Greetings... I am establishing a live Jazz Night on a Wednesday between 7pm to 10pm at a very nice, clean, and classy venue in the East Liberty area. The evening will feature local Pittsburgh musicians like Tony Campbell and many others performing for a very appreciative audience of jazz lovers.

I am a Pittsburgh native and local youth arts advocate attempting to expose young up and coming artists to the heart and soul of pure Pittsburgh music culture and traditions as they meet and learn from some of the local Music Masters. If you are interested in hosting a Wednesday night once a month or every other month I would be humbled and honored to make this happen.

Respectfully,

Kent Bey

412.657.3327
kbey7@royaltribemusic.com

Jazz, cat lovers come to rescue of crash victim's cat
Thursday, March 26, 2009
By Linda Wilson Fuoco, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A cat that survived a Feb. 17 car crash in California that killed Wilkinsburg native and jazz musician Dr. Derrick R. Finch is being flown to a new home in Pittsburgh thanks to the generosity of jazz lovers and cat lovers.

The tabby cat named Shadow has a new home with Shelia Finch, Dr. Finch's mother.

Dr. Finch, 37, a jazz musician who played throughout California, earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a doctorate's degree from the University of Southern California.

Riverside County sheriff's deputies who arrived at the accident scene found the cat and took it to the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, a shelter in Thousand Palms in the Los Angeles area. Friends told shelter workers that Shadow frequently traveled with Dr. Finch. The shelter contacted Mrs. Finch, who said she would like to take Shadow into her Wilkinsburg home.

The California shelter raised money to buy Shadow an airline ticket. He arrives in Pittsburgh on Friday, and Gretchen Fieser from the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society will pick him up and deliver him to Mrs. Finch.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
First published on March 26, 2009 at 5:01 pm

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09085/958543-100.stm

I just heard today about Derrick’s tragic passing by happenstance. We hung out frequently or as he would say would say-journeyed together, broke bread, smoked plenty of cigars, but more importantly we talked about how to overcome the challenges of life in a progressive manner and "keep it real." We shared so much and he truly made me a better person. I spoke to him last while I was in D.C., which was in mid-January. He was telling me about his days playing at Twins Jazz on U-Street; he was also packing boxes and putting the finishing touches on his dissertation while talking on the phone with me. I only wish that he was able to make the transition to Boston for bigger and better. Already well respected by peers directly in the music industry, and loved by friends generally, I think it can be agreed that Derrick was a once in a generation pianist and the next "big thing" for the rest of the world to know.

My heart goes out to his family in Pittsburg, his fiancé and those who were positively touched by him all over. My deepest sympathies to the family of Sonja Abate, I hope your daughter makes a full and fast recovery.

There will be a memorial service for Derrick’s LA family on Sunday, March 29, 2009: 3:00 p.m. at the University of Southern California (USC).

Here is a link with more details: http://web-app.usc.edu/ws/eo2/calendar/32/event/869006

There is so much more I want to say, but this will have to do.

RIP: Derrick R. Finch, DMA (1972 – 2009)

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.channel&channelID=93828181&MyToken=16b85ff7-fddf-43dc-94ca-6d2f07f20ca4

Videos of Dr. Derrick Finch

His Funeral Mass was beautiful, his fiancee worte a stunningly perfect and simple letter to Dr. Derrick for all of us that was so real and so powerful, and she delivered it to us proud, head flung back, tears flowing but not stopping her, she gave it to us all woman, every bit as good as Maya Angelou ever delivered a poem.I could see why Derrick loved her..

He would have been proud.

Amen.

He was a beautiful player and person and will be greatly missed but not forgotten. My deepest sympathy to those of us who knew and loved him.
I pray to God to keeps us all a close community.

My Best friend's wife is a life-long friend of Derrick's & has informed me that Spriggs & Watson Funeral parlor is handling the funeral/visitation arrangements. As of today she hadn't heard that a specific date had been set but that it would be early this week. As soon as I get specifics I'll definitely post it here.

HILL

Totally different venue...but if anyone knows the song "Six Strings Down", which was a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan, you will appreciate the lyrics.... I didn't know you Derrick, but may God bless you...

Have any funeral arrangements been made in Pittsburg, PA yet?

Derrick was one of my early music students in the wilkinsburg school system. He loved the piano! I have known him and his family for many years. We had so many musical good times together and I was so proud of his accomplishments! My heart and goes out to his family!

I didn't know Derrick, so 'Thank You' Nelson, for providing this information about him. What came to mind is a piece by John Donne that includes the lines, "...No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind..."
RIP young Mr. Derrick Finch and condolences to the family and friends.

Biography Derrick Finch

Born in Pennsylvania in 1972, Derrick Finch grew up in Pittsburgh, and began playing the piano at the age of three. Motivated by his parents, both musical advocates, his attentions evolved to encompass both pop and jazz. “I began improvising on my small Casio keyboard, imitating the recordings my father brought home weekly… It was early ear training and self learning.” Derrick played in school bands before meeting and performing with Roy Ayres: “This was incredible motivational training. I was performing with my parents’ idol as a teenager.” While a teenager, Derrick worked with drummer Roger Humphries, and received big band experience with a Dr. Nathan Davis. After graduation, Derrick continued to freelance around Pittsburgh while continuing his studies at the University of Pittsburgh. There he met veteran pianist Frank Cunimondo: “I began studying with Frank who guided me in developing my own signature sound and exposed me further into the history of the instrument.” After seven years with Dr. Nathan Davis’ ensembles, Finch earned his Bachelors and continued to freelance and with his mentors Roger Humphries, Duane Dolphin and Jimmy Ponder to name a few. Having led his own small groups, Finch returns to school to pursue his Masters of Music degree in Miami Florida. After performing periodic short stints as a sideman with Ira Sullivan (1998 – 2000) in Miami, Finch migrates to Washington DC and meets veteran bassists Keter Betts, Butch Warren and pianist Shirley Horn (2000 – 02). “Being on the bandstand with such a musical heroes was such a moving experience.” In 2002, Finch gets accepted into U.S.C. Thornton School of Music’s Doctor of Music Arts program in Los Angeles California. Having met Patrice Rushen early in his formative years in Pittsburgh, she accepts him as a musical student and mentor: “I began studying with Patrice who consistently encouraged me to explore various genres and writing styles of music composition. Finch’s recording, producing, performing, writing, and teaching careers reach into various plateaus of music. Movies: Blind Spot-2006; Television: Heroes – 2008, E.R.- 2006, The Smiths-2006, U.S.C. Television-2004 and B.E.T. Jazz-2000; Recording: Washington Rucker’s My Ballerina (2005) and Barbra Morrison’s Summertime (2007). A continual student of the history of Jazz piano, Derrick Finch mentions Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Phineas Newborn, Errol Garner and Ahmad Jamal as some of his main influences. “…If the music does not swing, its not fun… the music is an expression of life’s experiences that I try to convey constantly. Finch completes his doctoral degree at U.S.C., owns a small music production company and freelances both locally and internationally as an educator and performer. University Of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Graduated: 2008 Student status: Alumni Degree: Ph.D. Major: Jazz Studies, Theory, Education and Industry 2002 to 2008 University Of Miami Coral Gables, FL Graduated: 2000 Student status: Alumni Degree: Master's Degree Major: Jazz Studies, Theory, Education 1998 to 2000 University Of Pittsburgh-Main Campus Pittsburgh, PA Graduated: 1995 Student status: Alumni Degree: Bachelor's Degree Major: African American Studies, Jazz Studies Clubs: Prince Hall Mason, York Right, Scotish Right and Shrine Greek: Omega Psi Phi

Who will take your place....none can. But we can play your music, god, Derrick, remember that gig you had at the bookstore and you thought your keyboard was in the trunk but it was at your HOUSE!!! Remember, me and your friend screamed down the HOV lane ant got from Mcknight Road to Wilkinsburg and back in under TWENTY minutes with that piano??? You played like an angel from God that day. And now you are an angel from God.
Folks, the First Annual Greater Pittsburgh Jazz Festival will be dedicated to Dr. Derrick Finch. Now who will help me bake the bread?

It saddens me to hear of the lost of a fellow member and musician.

Ray Ratliff Jr.

My God, we lost a beautiful brother and artist, only his material body is gone but his soul and spirit will live forever.


your brother,

Leo

wow... I had the pleasure of meeting Derrick in DC several years ago. What a wonderful person and musician. I did not know at the time that we were from the same area. You will be so missed. My condolences to the family. So young and oh so talented. RIP Derrick