Derek Andrews is an independent arts consultant, Music Curator at the
Luminato Festival, programs music for North York’s Cultura Festival and at
other venues. As a concert organizer Derek developed themed concert
programming at Harbourfront Centre (1986-2003) presenting 4,000 artists from
Ashley MacIsaac to Zakir Hussain and was co-artistic director of Toronto’s
WOMAD festival (1988-92). In 2011 he launched Canada’s first world music
conference, Mundial Montreal. Derek’s Global Café artist management roster
is focused in the genres of folk, jazz, blues and world music, with clients such as
Suzie Vinnick, Quique Escamilla, Kobo Town and Digging Roots. Derek has
presented seminars at industry conferences such as WOMEX, Folk Alliance
International and is executive producer of the Toronto Blues Society’s biennial
Blues Summit. Derek has served on advisory committees for the Toronto Arts
Council, Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council. Derek sits on the Toronto
Music Industry Advisory Council and is an Associate Member of the
European Forum of Worldwide Music Festivals, Derek is an internationally
recognized authority on “world music” and a passion advocate for creative
approaches in music as a tool for breaking down cultural barriers.