The New Mexico Music Commissioners

Derek Mathews

While growing up in Chicago's Hyde Park and University of Chicago community during the 1960's, his life was surrounded by intellectuals, artists and musicians. Many of his classmates and friends were the children of such notables as Amahd Jamal, Ramsey Lewis, Oscar Brown and Gene Krupa. The neighborhood talent shows were the outlets for many of his friends where their musical and acting careers began, such as Minnie Ripperton, The Rotary Connection, the Jackson Five and Mandy Patinkin. It was his closeness to such individuals and groups where his interest in music and stage work first began. Derek worked many weekends and shows as a crew member and sometimes as the master of ceremonies. After leaving completing high school and prior to coming to New Mexico, Derek worked as a sound tech. For Billy Stewart, The Marlboros Band, and the Drifters. Upon arriving in New Mexico Derek completed his Bachelors degree at the College Of Santa Fe's Greer Garson Theatre, with a major in Theatre Production. Mr. Mathews returned to the Chicago area where he received a Masters degree in popular culture, with an emphases in television production. Through this experience he has many television and film credits to his name. During this time he also worked on several stage shows and musical performances in Las Angeles, California In 1978, while teaching media and drama classes at the Albuquerque Indian school, he established the Albuquerque Indian School's Actors Studio. This Theatrical and music show traveled throughout New Mexico and various other locations performing a stage production of which he wrote. Also in the late 1970's Derek produced several Native American community affairs programs which aired weekly on KOB-TV and KOAT-TV. In 1983, Derek Mathews founded the Gathering of Nations Powwow, which has grown over the years to be the largest Native American festival in the world, and one of New Mexico's premiere annual events. The Gathering of Nations Powwow is held each year at the University of New Mexico Arena. Derek remains the director and producer of the event. In 2000 The Gathering of Nations received the first Grammy ever awarded for Native American Music. That same year, The Gathering of Nations began its own music label. It was created to record and produce The Gathering of Nations Powwow and other Native American music. Derek is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Inc. (the Grammy awards organization.)