We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Derrick Griffin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Derrick , thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

Aside from my mother playing the Flute in 8th grade for a fairly short period of time, I do not come from a music background. Growing up, my parents always played smooth jazz around the house. I vividly remember my father driving in his truck playing watercolors on XM radio and I always heard the saxophone. That was the instrument that I was in tune with from the beginning.

When I was in 4th grade (8 years old) my mother took me to go try three different instruments (Saxophone, Clarinet, and Trumpet) and from that day, that confirmed for me that the saxophone is what I was gravitated to. My parents invested into me and got me my first saxophone. It was a Yamaha YAS-23 Alto Sax. I started learning classical music and the basic technique of playing the horn my first two years. Once I entered middle school, that is where I became exposed to jazz and ended up becoming the lead alto sax player for the jazz ensemble. That is where my love for improvisation began. My father was always instilling that confidence in me to not be shy of the moment. He always would tell me, “Play from your spirit.” I would always try to spread the wealth and encourage others to solo as well, but at that age many of peers were afraid to make mistakes. My parents taught me at a young age to fail fast so that I can succeed sooner.

Fast forward to high school, while being involved in music, I always had a passion for playing basketball. After my freshman year of high school, I remember my father telling me, “Son I don’t think you are going to get much taller, but I know music is going to take you places. I see it now.” My sophomore year of high school I decided to put basketball to side to focus more on music. I remember preparing for auditions to be a part of the top Jazz ensemble and my band instructor told me in so many words that I may have to switch to Tenor saxophone because of the amount of competition we had going into the next year. I remember going back to parents to tell them the news. They were so determined to help me get to where I needed to be, they went out and invested into a Richard Sax Ross Tenor Saxophone for me. They researched local private tutors in the area to get me acclimated to the size of the instrument and to prepare myself for the audition going into that Spring. I auditioned at the end of my Freshman year and made the top ensemble going into my sophomore year. By my senior year, I became the lead tenor sax player for my high school.

Business was something I knew I wanted to study going into college, but I wanted to find an institution that provided the best of both worlds. Music and business. I went to a college fair with my mother and we came across Robert Morris University Illinois in Chicago. They told us that I could earn a degree in business while potentially earning a scholarship in music. I got in contact with the band director at the time to find out how I would need to audition. Few weeks later, I came downtown for a visit with my parents, met the band director for a rehearsal. He offered me an opportunity to sit in one song with the band and perform during one of their concerts. I prepared the music, my parents took me downtown for the concert. I ended up sitting in for the entire concert, took a solo, and had a great experience. After the concert, my parents and I followed up with the band director to find out when I would need to come back in and the band director simply told us, “The concert was your audition. You are amazing. We would like to offer you the highest scholarship possible for our performing arts program.”

So what did my parents do right? They invested in me and stuck with me every step of the way. Literally. They never forced me into music. It was something I organically fell in love with and they saw the passion I had for music. They took time to feed life into that passion. My parents did not quit on me when adversity struck. My parents kept me focused mentally and spiritually. Without their support, I would not be where I am at with DG SAX LLC. My parents established a strong foundation for me to be able to flourish.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

When I was at Robert Morris University Illinois in Chicago, I was surrounded by a lot of kids who attended Columbia College which is one of the best music schools in the Chicagoland area. I took a more non-traditional route for music and utilized my ability to network and build relationships to find artists as well as musicians to work with. I started working with a couple artists in Chicago which opened up doors for me to open up for artists such as Wyclef Jean, Lupe Fiasco, performing live at The Taste of Chicago and WGN News. I also had the opportunity to tour and perform in over 7 different states. This developed me into a more well-rounded musician.

When the pandemic struck in 2020, live performing in person was no longer an option and I had to take a huge pivot. The pandemic ultimately turned into the perfect storm because I turned that into an opportunity to put out social media content. I was putting out covers on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter everyday and received recognition from artists such as Big Sean, Snoh Aalegra, Mario, Russ, Bobby V, Big Boi, Eric Sermon, and others. This also led to a video agency reaching out to me for a Major Lazer that came out for the song entitled, “Lay Your Head on Me” feat. Marcus Mumford.

December 2020 I established DG SAX LLC for live events such as weddings, cocktail hours, corporate events, birthday parties, surprise engagements, saxophone recordings, and other brand partnership opportunities. I began working with The DJ Firm and Kochuveettil Beats who I established a relationship with throughout the pandemic. The Dj Firm is a Chicago based company providing luxury entertainment for weddings, corporate events, and other special occasions. Kochuveettil Beats specializes in the South Indian wedding scene providing live musicianship for cocktail hours, dinners, morning Baraats and pre-wedding celebration activities. I am also enlisted on different platforms such as Gigsalad and The Bash.

I work with my agent to handle any individual booking I may receive as well. I am able to provide sound set up for my services any live venue in state (microphone, monitor speaker, laptop, backing tracks, etc.). Although I am based in Chicago, I am willing to travel out of the state to provide my services as well.

I want clients to know that you are truly receiving a one of one experience with me. I am able to solo and improvise to nearly any genre that is being played. I perform solo as well as with DJs.

I have been featured on several different projects from local artists Jams The Flava Child, Lasalle Grandeur, and Nick Carter Green. I plan to begin original music within the next 12 months.

Here is where you can find me via social media:
Instagram: @dgsax_
Youtube: @DgSax
Facebook: @DgSax
Twitter: @dgsax_

October 2022, I have began to put out short informative content for artists, musicians, and other creators who may be looking to start their own business, key tips, venue reviews, and other forms of content that may be helpful for those who may just be trying to figure out where to start.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the amount of people I have the opportunity to impact through the universal language of life. Music. I am the blueprint for the non-traditional musician who did not go to a music school to get a “4-year degree” in music. You do not have to go to school and major in music to be a successful musician or artist. You have to find your niche.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I remember being a part of bands and different groups where I knew I was worth more for the effort that I was putting in. I made lots of sacrifices for the opportunities that were granted. I did a lot of free work before I even got to where I am at today. This is part that people will never see. They will see the end product. I would even pay for some of my band members Uber rides because I wanted everyone to be a part of the experience that we were creating. I wanted the experience to be right. I take my craft and the people I work with serious. To go from that, to now performing for several corporate entities, New Years Eve parties, weddings, and many other platforms. Music has taken me places I never imagined. Due to my resilience and trusting the process, it brought me closer to my purpose in life and has allowed me to understand my worth at a young age.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dgsax.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dgsax_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DgSax45/about
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/dgsax_
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrgtSfx7Nt_NPBiYkk3pUPg
• Other: Website, hire me for next live event, recording, etc.: https://dgsax.bubbleapps.io/

Image Credits
– Rooftop photo Photographer Name: Kenneth Dixon Instagram: @kennethldixon – Red and black photos Instagram: @ix7real Photographer Name: Ivan Xochihua – Blue suit photos Photographer: Diana Arreguin Instagram: @d.alchemist_