Derek Frank has been playing bass
for nearly 20 years. He started
his professional career in Cleveland,
Ohio, where (while attending high
school) he honed his chops playing
in jazz clubs and playing for local
musical theatre productions. He
studied music at the Interlochen
Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan,
and at the University of Miami.
In May, 1997 (after a brief stint
in Boston), Derek packed his bags
(and basses) and moved to Los Angeles.
Since his arrival, he has proven
to be an in-demand musician both
on stage and in the studio. He has
performed and/or recorded with an
impressive list of artists, including:
Brian Auger,
Aly & AJ, Siedah Garrett, MoZella,
Jennifer Paige, Jonatha Brooke,
Christina Aguilera, and Alejandra
Guzman. As a studio musician, Derek
has worked with such producers as
Todd Rundgren, Neil Avron, and Greg
Poree, and has played bass on tracks
alongside such legendary musicians
as Vinnie Colaiuta and Joe Sample.
He has also recorded music for the
television shows "Ally McBeal",
"Malcolm and Eddie", "State
of Grace", and “Malcolm
in the Middle”. Aside from
recording for television, Derek
has appeared on camera performing
with artists such as Rachel Yamagata,
Bonnie McKee, and Lari White (and
also with some of the aforementioned
artists).
In 2002 and 2003, Derek spent much
of his time touring Europe and the
USA as a member of legendary keyboardist
and acid-jazz pioneer Brian Auger’s
band, “The Oblivion Express”.
Derek’s musical relationship
with Brian Auger has lasted up until
the present day, although he is
currently more-or-less a part-time
member of the Oblivion Express.
Derek recorded a live DVD and double-length
CD with the band in 2005, and has
recently joined the band for tours
of the US and Japan. Brian Auger’s
Oblivion Express has given Derek
the opportunity to lock down a mean
groove while showcasing his soloing
chops in the styles of Funk, R&B,
Jazz, and Fusion.
In 2006 and 2007, Derek was a band
member of Hollywood Records recording
artists “Aly & AJ”.
He has played numerous concerts
with the girls all over the USA,
performed on television with them,
and rocked out in their music videos
for the songs “Chemicals React”
and “The Greatest Time of
Year”.
During the Summer of 2007, and also
the Winter of 2007-2008, Derek toured
around the US and Canada as a band
member on the "Dancing With
the Stars" tour, a live arena
show spun off from the hit ABC television
series.
Currently, Derek is in LA working
on material for his own album project,
balancing tours with various artists,
and doing many other performances
and recording sessions as a freelance
musician. He has also developed
a website called "Bass
Tracks Online", offering
budget-conscious singers, songwriters,
producers, and composers, who may
not otherwise have access to a studio
bass player, a way to obtain custom
bass tracks for their songs online.
Click
Here to Check it Out!
Derek passionately thumps away on
4 & 5 string fretted and fretless
basses, expands his tonal palette
with the use of synth bass and various
effects, and he plays & endorses
Celinder Basses, Aguilar amplifiers,
Seymour Duncan pickups, and DR strings.