Toronto based Derek Andrews is an independent concert and festival organizer, Artistic Director of Mundial Montreal, Music Curator at Toronto’s June performing arts event Luminato Festival, Music Programmer of Toronto’s cabaret listening room Hugh’s Room Live. Derek is also a manager consultant of select artists (Kobo Town, Quique Escamilla, Digging Roots, etc.) through his Global Café “brand” focused on the genres of folk, blues, jazz and world music. As a concert organizer Derek developed themed concert programming at Harbourfront Centre (1986-2003) and was co-artistic director of Toronto’s WOMAD festival (1988-92).
In 2011 he launched Canada’s first world music conference, Mundial Montreal a four day showcase platform, seminar and networking opportunity held every November.
Derek is executive producer of the Toronto Blues Society’s biennial Blues Summit conference and is president of the organization, founded in 1985. Derek has served on advisory committees and is an Associate Member of the European Forum of Worldwide Music Festivals.