User:Ohlsonsteph

Derek Reese Musician

www.derekreesemusic.com

Derek Reese was born into a family of musicians in Brooklyn, New York. Derek's father, Kevin Reese, was best known as the guitarist for The Magic Tramps, a pioneering glam-rock band. His uncle, Anthony "Ace" Pergamo, a professional drummer, started giving Derek lessons at the ripe age of three.

With nature and nurture on his side, Derek's talents were obvious from the beginning. At 4 years old, Derek's mother had enrolled him in private lessons for both drums and classical piano.

Derek Reese's earliest and most powerful influence was his mother Carol Reese. Carol Reese was an artist (painter,drawing,actress and model) But she had to give these dreams a break when she had Derek because non of them paid the rent. She was very independent and strong and taught Derek early on to depend on himself. She taught him to cook and pick up after himself and also took him to drum and piano instruction and rehearsals before Derek could ride the NYC trains by himself.Derek's father was a musician,guitarist,songwriter but didn't spend much time at home.He often traveled a lot because of music. Derek Reese's first teacher was his uncle Anthony Pergamo (Ace) Derek was his first and only pupil. Another influence was Anthony Pergamo's brother John Pergamo ( JP). Because of John Pergamo Derek Reese recorded his first record at the ripe age of eight years old called "Big-Boy" it was follwed by a music video. Another important influence was the group Kiss who his mother and aunt Elvera Bakas grew up with. Derek's mother grew up in the Williamsburg section of brooklyn and Peter Criss and Carol Reese became best friends. Also Derek's mother and aunt were close friends to Peter Criss's wife Lydia Criss. Derek also found inspiration in groups like Van Halen and bands that Derek's uncle's were in like Nu-Clear Energy and Butch Lust and the hypocrites.Derek's uncle Tom Bakas also was a big inspiration,teaching him guitar,songwriting and recording. Derek's first band was "Broken Rules". Derek Reese was playing regularly on the lower east side,at clubs like A7,The Pyramid,CBGB's to name a few. Derek was only 7 years old playing drums with the other members who were in there twenty's. Building on his early success and tons of studio work, Derek set out to compose and produce. The results of Derek's inspiration and perspiration is his first album. Not only did Derek play all the instruments but he recorded and engineered every track. This self titled CD, "Derek Reese", is a true labor of love.