DERICK K. GRANT debuted as a featured dancer with the JTE in 1992 at the Joyce Theater. Born and raised in Boston, he tributes Andrea Major, Paul and Arlene Kennedy (Universal Dance Designs), and Dianne Walker for his training as a young dancer. As a member of JTE, he created the solo, “Drum” (disc 2), performed in the full range of JTE repertory, and in 1994 won the Princess Grace Award for Emerging Artists. After his long engagement with Savion Glover’s “Noise/Funk” on B’way, Derick led the first national tour, and later created his own original show “Imagine Tap” which premiered in Chicago. Jazz Tap Ensemble was proud to include Derick again for the 2007 American TAP Masterpieces tour in which he rejoined his “Taxi” partner Sam Weber (disc2) for more amazing improvisations.