About Derek Sims

A man holding a trumpet over his shoulder, outdoors with trees in the background, wearing a suit jacket.

Derek Sims is an in-demand trumpeter, pianist and educator, in the South Florida music scene. Mr. Sims has had the privilege of performing with such artists as Benny Golson, John Pattitucci, Freda Payne, Danilo Perez, Gerald Wilson, Arturo Sandoval, Bob Mintzer, Paquito D’Rivera, Jon Faddis, Ingrid Jensen, Bobby Shew, Randy Brecker, Bobby Watson, Pancho Sanchez, Wynton Marsalis, James Moody, Ron Miles, Martha Reeves, and many others.

While living in Portland, OR Mr. Sims judged at the many jazz festivals in the Pacific Northwest area. He was on the faculty of the Mel Brown Jazz Camp from 2003-2017. Concurrently, Mr Sims was the Director of Jazz at the Metropolitan Youth Symphony from 2004-2015. He also was an Adjunct Professor of Jazz Trumpet and the Jazz Band Director at Portland State University from 2013-2018. After these two stints Mr Sims started PJAZZ (The Portland Jazz School), and coached jazz combos from 2018-2021. After moving to South Florida in 2022, Mr Sims maintains a private studio of jazz improv students, serves as the Jazz Band Director at the Coral Springs Charter School.