INDIANAPOLIS, March 15th, 2010 – On March 29th, 2010, Derrick Gardner will be one of a dozen jazz composers that will be honored by SESAC at a private luncheon. Derrick will be honored along with jazz artists Ben Allison, Lynn Arriale, Robert Glasper, Tom Harrell, Stefon Harris and Vijay Iyer.

The name SESAC originally stood for Society of European Stage Authors & Composers when established in 1930, today the company is known simply as SESAC. SESAC is one of three performing rights organizations in the United States and is designed to represent songwriters and publishers and their right to be compensated for having their music performed in public. The National Performance Activity Award is given to top jazz composers of the year. The recipients are chosen based on chart activity of the airplay charts, making the Top 10 of albums played and significant airplay from SESAC's monitering system. Generally SESAC honores about twelve jazz composers.

Derrick has been a member of SESAC since the mid to late 1990's. SESAC has been more popular with jazz musicians becuase it is a smaller version of BMI or ASCAP and the musicians would get their money faster from SESAC. Derrick said, "I'm very honored and flattered to receive such recognition from SESAC and look forward to making more great music." Derrick will be accompanied at the luncheon by president and CEO of Owl Studios, Mr. Al Hall.