Derek de Beer

Derek is a drummer, percussionist and songwriter who was born in Rhodesia, a country now known as Zimbabwe. During a professional music career spanning more than 40 years, he has earned acclaim as a leading performing artist on Sabian cymbals, Pearl drums, rim-shot sticks and Remo skins. During his 20 years as a professional drummer, he played an integral role in helping bands like South Africa's "Savuka" earn 11 Gold LPs in nine countries. The music of Savuka has been featured in several movies, most notably Rain Man, George of the Jungle and Invictus.
Derek has toured the world many times over, sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in entertainment. He has performed with Johnny Clegg, Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Tracy Chapman and Robert Palmer, among others.
In 1997, Derek developed an artistic educational program for Canadian schoolchildren that features an ethnic African beat, a concept Derek likes to refer to as a "rhythm safari". Over the years, Derek's spectacular performances have also caught the attention of government departments and corporations, and he is now in demand as an entertainer and motivational speaker for company events.