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The Jack Derwin Story
Jack honed his skill as a musician in north western NSW Australia as a teenager. Arriving from the suburbs of Sydney at a young age, life was a challenge with being accepted as a “local”. This drew him to music, the most universal language of all. Acceptance was inevitable with Jack drawing from his new surrounds, with large open spaces of beautiful, yet often hostile countryside. Souring heat waves could easily turn into flood swept plains making life a challenge for those living off the land.
Jack often writes about the blues, but other songs like “Ningadoo Sky” reflect the land that his ancestors inhabited. An area like Mt Kaputar National Park, near where “ningadoo” stands as an old volcanic plug, can be viewed from his Mother’s birthplace.
Jack began writing songs at the age of 14. His earlier influences were the usual acoustic greats like Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, Donovan and bands like the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Cream and John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers.
In later years he was influenced by the likes of John Martyn from Britain, until he began developing his own style.
Jack has played with many different bands and combos over the years. The distinct similarity between all these combos is Jack’s style of playing and influence on these bands: Mostly the driving force, mostly upfront, and bold in presentation with guitar to match.
Jack has toured extensively over the eastern coast of Australia, in both coastal and rural regions, and New Zealand. He has toured Germany and the USA. He has a sound and style that seems to appeal to both the country folk, the sea dwellers and city folk alike. This appeal comes from the rawness and “roots” of his music. Jack on his own, is as good as with any combo. The music is raw and stripped to its bare necessities. Vocals, guitar, slide, blues harp and stomp box; synchronized together.
His first independent CD, “with my eyes” gained extensive airplay on rural NSW radio stations, and eventuated in the production of a video clip, “Lonely Boy”, with National airing on television.
His first television experience was with his earlier duo called “Percusso”. It was the “International Year of Peace” with a song of the same title, resulting in exposure on various TV stations also.
Jack continues to develop musically. With many more performances now in demand as a soloist, he is playing more music festivals. He uses standard and open tunings on guitars that embellish his percussive playing, or the simplicity of slide and finger style; and haunting or raunchy harmonica entwined in the mix.
Jack is a compulsive songwriter, recording at every opportunity, including his gigs, at home and in the studio. Searching and creating all the time.
Jack continues to gig and tour in search of inspiration. From that small pub gig on the corner filled with characters, to a festival overlooking the Pacific Ocean; it’s all good!
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