Derrick McKenzie (Jamiroquai) interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories™ # 026 Part 1

TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ DERRICK MCKENZIE # 026 - PART 1
Derrick McKenzie you would probably initially tune in to hear about his Jamiroquai fame, but ’True House Stories’ reveals so much more about the man behind the drums of one of the world’s greatest bands in the history of music.
Learn how Derrick first picked up his mum’s coat hangers at the age of 5 years old and started to rock out a rhythm. His dad’s music was pivotal to the music he grew to love. Still rocking the coat hangers at the age of 10, he started a band with his friends and practiced relentlessly with coat hangers on his mum’s stool which he used as a makeshift drum kit.
Derrick had an amazing talent for rocking a rhythm, self-taught he played purely by feeling the vibe and practiced religiously to perfect his techniques. At the age of 15 he joined a band ‘Pure & Simple’ and pulled in his first semi pro gig. He continued with this band for a couple of years working a lover’s rock style - soulful style with an old school reggae vibe which really set the foundation for Derrick’s future in the music industry.
As any parent would dread, Derrick asked for a drum kit, and was told to get a job and buy it himself. Determined Derrick, went off to work at Marks & Spencer, and he managed to fulfil his dream, saving £400 and purchasing his first basic drum kit.
During the 80’s, Jazz funk became Derrick’s new genre of choice having discovered bands such as Incognito, Brand New Heavies, Beggar & Co. Derrick joined a band called ‘Tranzyence’. Disco was in his veins though, Derrick had a real love for funk deep down in his soul and was inspired by bands such as Blood Stone, Brass Construction, Donald Byrd, Patrice Rushen.
Up against more popular genres, Derrick still hadn’t quite hit the success he was destined for. It was a tough getting gigs as Derrick was still very young and inexperienced, but he never gave up. He continued to feel that overriding passion for drumming, continuing to work early shifts to ensure he could always make time to practice drumming in the afternoons.
Determined to follow his dream, Derrick joined ‘Candyland’ -5 piece indie dance band who worked hard to get gigs, sending demos to record labels and music mags and pulled in a weekly residency at a club in London. The band recorded an album which resulted in a 5-week tour across America. At this point Derrick thought he had finally made it in the industry, still not knowing what his future held.
Moving on to a pop band ‘Freaky Realistic’, lasting 6 months , he then joined ‘Urban Species’ a rap outfit signed to ‘Talking Loud Records’ where he toured the UK and Europe as part of the rhythm section. Not completely feeling the hip hop vibe, Derrick landed himself an audition for a band he had never heard of. A band that would change his life forever.
After 2 long days of auditioning, Derrick was invited to became the drummer for the incredible band ‘Jamiroquai’.
Watch this truly remarkable show and hear what the future plans are for Jamiroquai, learn about how Derrick has continued to work during lockdown and remain a very significant name on the scene by working for Mi-House Radio and producing his own disco / funk music and collaborations with other amazing producers in the music industry.
Derrick McKenzie is a ’True House Stories’ legend. Always determined to follow his dream and never giving up hope, he is an inspiration to us all.

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