Biography

Derek's creative, performing and recording arts career spans three decades on both the Canadian and European musical landscape. He was writing in Paris - and hanging out in the cafes - when Stephane Grappelli and Oscar Peterson recorded their historic sessions in Saint-Germain-des-Pres in the mid 1970s(Louisa, 1976-7), attended a workshop/seminar with legendary Dizzy Gillespie in Montreal(Just A Little While, 1973-4), and performed with Scottish fiddler Charlie Cowie in Scotland(Girl in a Field, 1984). Derek’s post secondary education includes a bachelor of fine arts degree in creative writing from the University of British Columbia and extensive live performance experience.

His performing and creative arts background is extremely varied. For example, his formative years include music studies with noted Canadian classical pianist Robert Silverman on one hand to a year writing poetry under the tutelage of the esoteric poet/writer Robert Bringhurst (after the untimely death of poet Pat Lowther). His performance (and backcountry hiking) activity at “his home away from home” at his beloved Rogers Pass (Glacier National Park, British Columbia) for over a decade is something of local legend. Two video shorts were the product of this era and were featured in Parks Canada’s Rogers Pass Centre for several years (1990s). He is possibly the only holder of a BC drivers license whose address simply read:

Summit, Trans-Canada Highway,

Glacier National Park, BC

V0E 2S0

Period.

And for five years correspondence was received.

As a singer-songwriter, his compositions are articulated by well-appointed musical artistry and crafted, vividly poetic lyrical images that brought about one critic to call MacNeill the Monet of the recording industry. ('Geography of the Mind', 1986)

After a hiatus from writing and performing that had the artist re-value the parameters of his work for much of the 1990s, Derek's newest work is the product of a mature artist. His songs, arrangements and approach to acoustic-oriented sonic production evoke the best of 20th century music with cutting edge urbane influences of the 21st century new order. This music is alive! The work is centred, evocative and passionate.

Ladies and gentlemen, This is the real thing. Derek MacNeill truly is ‘a recording artist.’

In addition to founding Water's Edge Productions Annual Songwriting Award in 2002 and securing sponsorship in 2003 for the mentoring program, Derek has served as president of Opera Breve Vancouver (2000) and found time to pen a collection of lyrics, poems and essays entitled "The Nature of Light on Skin," (2001).

His talents as producer are much in demand. Several CD productions are in the works for the coming year (2004-05), which includes producing the gifted Canadian acoustic guitarist-composer, Rick Taylor. This CD release has the earmarks of elevating the already high status of Canadian acoustic guitar music.

Presently, Derek is sequestered in the studio on production work and performs exclusively on rare occasions for selected benefits. Future performances TBA and will be posted on this website as recording projects near launch date.