Monday, October 5, 2009

Derek Tabb: Hero

Derek Tabb is so much more than just the Drummer for the Rebirth Brass Band. He is a local hero. Growing up in New Orleans taught Derek many valuable lessons as to music's power to keep kids out of the streets and away from the drug dealers. He is a living testimony to that. However, Derek has gone a step further to give back to the art form that just might of saved his life. He worked to form "The Roots of Music Foundation." It is best described by the foundation's website:
"The Roots of Music program is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded by Rebirth Brass band drummer, Derrick Tabb, Allison Reinhardt, and Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews. Having seen and experienced the losses of Hurricane Katrina and the daily challenges facing New Orleans' inner-city youths, they were concerned the youth and the music culture of New Orleans were in jeopardy of being lost. From this concern grew the idea and ultimately the formation of The Roots of Music as a free, after-school academic tutoring AND music education program for low-income middle-school students in New Orleans."

The television network CNN has recognized Derek's achievements, and has chosen to nominate him as 2009's Hero of the Year. This is a wonderful honor to a great man, and we here at the Howlin Wolf would greatly appreciate your taking a moment to go to CNN's website and vote for Derek. We as New Orleanians need to he supporting every hero we have!!

The voting page can be found here.

The link to the article about Derek and the Roots of Music Foundation can be found here.

Here's Derek's Video:


Please take the time to do this. Derek deserves this honor!!!