meet Derek, Jools Holland and some of the team

welcome to Derek's website

Derek Paravicini is one of the most extraordinary pianists and musicians of his generation, yet he is blind and has severe learning difficulties and is on the autism spectrum.

Based in London, Derek performs regularly across the UK, and is also making a name for himself internationally having performed in venues across Europe and the United States.

Derek has a repertoire of tens of thousands of pieces —all learnt very rapidly, just by listening.

Beneath his quiet charm lies a fiery, creative musician, whose astonishing improvisations and dazzling technique have wowed audiences all over the world, with over a million hits on YouTube and another million on TED.

about Derek

Derek was born premature, at 25 weeks, and weighing just over half a kilogram. As a result of the oxygen therapy required to save his life, Derek lost his sight, and his development was affected too. It later became apparent that he had severe learning difficulties.

However, he soon acquired a fascination for music and sound - Derek began to teach himself to play the piano at the age of two, and by the age of four, had taught himself to play a large number of complex pieces on the piano. With no visual models to guide him, his technique was chaotic, and even his elbows would frequently be pressed into service, as he strove to reach intervals beyond the span of his tiny hands!

At this time, his enormous potential was recognised by Adam Ockelford, then music teacher at Linden Lodge School for the Blind in London. Adam and Derek began to work together weekly and then daily, in an extensive programme of tuition that was to last for several years. Painstakingly (through physical demonstration and imitation) Derek acquired the foundations of technique that were necessary for him to move forward.

His natural affinity for jazz, pop and light music soon became evident; together with his improvisatory talents, ability to play in any key, and flair for performing in public!

Derek first shot to fame when he was nine, playing jazz with the Royal Philharmonic Pops Orchestra at the Barbican.

Many TV appearances followed, in the UK and overseas, including Japan, Germany and Australia, and three times on CBS’s prestigious ‘60 Minutes’ programme in the USA. Derek has performed in venues ranging from Ronnie Scott’s renowned jazz club in London, to the Mandalay Bay Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada and in Phoenix, Arizona, for Mohammad Ali.

He has performed twice at Buckingham Palace. In 2011, Derek played ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ and a piano concerto written specially for him, at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Derek's talent, love of music, and - above all - the ability to communicate through sound means he will continue to thrill audiences for years to come in the UK and abroad.

Echoes of the Sounds to Be (Audio CD)

Derek's first solo album "Echoes of the Sounds to Be..." is an exciting compilation of loved tunes by composers such as Harold Arlen, Jerome Kern, Thelonious Monk, Thomas "Fats" Waller, Stephen Sondheim, Scott Joplin and Jelly Roll Morton.

Echoes of the Sounds to Be was produced by Evangelos Himonides (UCL) and Professor Adam Ockelford (Roehampton University).

Amazon (UK) | Amazon (US)

the Derek Paravicini Quartet (Audio CD)

Derek Paravicini's unique musical abilities are recognised all over the world. Now, with three exceptional musicians - Hannah Davey (vocals), Ben Holder (jazz violin) and Ollie Howell (drums), Derek has formed his own ensemble - the Derek Paravicini Quartet (DPQ). This fortuitous coming together of musical friends is bringing a new 'wow' factor to the music scene in the UK following their successful debut on Radio 3's 'In Tune' programme, with their incredible blend of musicianship and virtuosity. This debut album from the group is a collection of entirely new interpretations of standards: at once vibrant and moving, earthy and sublime. A must-have collection.

Amazon (UK) | Amazon (US)

Elation (Audio CD)

“Elation” is a new album of standards such as ‘A Foggy Day In London Town’, ‘Georgia On My Mind’ and ‘When I Fall In Love’. Derek re-imagines some of the great songs on the 20th Century.

Amazon (UK) | Amazon (US)

In the Key of Genius (Book)

by Adam Ockelford
The Life of a Musical Savant
The extraordinary story of the musical genius Derek Paravicini, born blind and with severe learning difficulties, by the music psychologist who has acted as his mentor for the last twenty years.

In the Key of Genius can be now ordered online through: Amazon | Amazon (UK) | Random House

projects

Derek regularly works with the charity Music for Autism, going into schools for children with autism and delivering fun and interactive concerts.

Residency at Wiltshire Music Centre – tbc

workshops and talks

Derek and his lifelong mentor, Professor Adam Ockelford have travelled the country, giving hundreds of inspiring talks and delivering interactive workshops to schools, literary festivals and other events.

Working closely with Adam, Derek is able to tell us about his fascinating life and show us not only how his musical mind functions, but also how to explore the musician hidden in all of us.

These workshops are for people of all ages and abilities, and are engaging, educational and fun!

Derek makes an impression that is never forgotten, and he has inspired many people to take up an instrument or start practising again!