Derron Ellies

Derron Ellies’ most notable music achievement came in 2012 when he performed the introduction of Nicki Minaj – Pound the Alarm video filmed in Trinidad and Tobago. This opportunity presented itself after more than 20 years of Derron honing his musical skills on his preferred instrument, the Steelpan. Another major accomplishment was Derron being featured on stage with JW and Blaze in 2010 for the finals of the International Soca Monarch which they won with their hit ‘Palance’. Derron Ellies has added the Percussive Harmonic Instrument (P.H.I.) also known as the electronic pan to his chest of musical instruments which allows him to access the world of electronic music using the Steelpan skills he has honed.
Derron Ellies is an accomplished Steelpan performer currently holding the portfolio of Musical Director at Rhapsody NG where he is instrumental in transforming the band from a steel orchestra to a mainstream band. Derron Ellies has performed with bands such as Blue Culture, Orange Sky, Los Tocadores, The P.H.I. Band, Queen’s Royal College (QRC) Scout Band and Magnum, Noel la Pierre Faces as well as several steel orchestras. Derron has also worked with fellow musicians such as Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, Amrit Samaroo, Terri Lyons, Olatunji Yearwood, Rembunction, Nigel Rojas, Andy Venture, JW and Blaze, Roger Boothman and Nicki Minaj among many others.
As a solo musician and a member of several bands, Derron Ellies has performed at Tobago Jazz - World Music Night, Tobago Fashion Weekend, Shanghai Spring Music Festival, CHOGM spouses’ dinner and various Panorama competitions locally and abroad. Derron Ellies has travelled to St. Lucia, Jamaica, Martinique, United States of America, Canada, India and China to thrill audiences as well as promote the national instrument. In the studio he has worked with Nigel Rojas, DJ Andy-Himself, Los Tocadores, Rembunction and Bagasse Company. Derron Ellies has always shown rapid development as a musician in theory and practice with a passion to promote the national instrument and culture of Trinidad and Tobago.