From playing in a garage band to garnering a Classical Degree in double bass, Deryl Gallant has been a prominent part of the PEI music scene for over 30 years. Within weeks of first plucking an upright bass string, it was head-first into orchestra rehearsals, concerts, discovering the electric bass and guitar, and garage bands with friends: all sparks and fuel to fire up a music career spanning three decades.

A founding member of the Jive Kings, The Dennis Lee Project and many Charlottetown Festival productions, his most recent work includes assisting Craig Fair Music Productions, PEI’s premier destination for theatrical concert experiences and the Harmony House Theatre, as well as lending his talented bass and vocals to recordings from local artists such as Tara MacLean and Alicia Toner.

Gallant’s success does not go unrecognized, especially in the PEI community, winning the 2015 Music PEI Musician of the Year and 2015 PEI Jazz & Blues Festival Doug Riley artist awards while garnering several other nominations over the course of his career.

While being a sought-after performer, Gallant has also found ways to continuously give back to the community, teaching the next generation of bass players as an instructing bassist at the University of PEI and Holland College, all while maintaining a successful 20 plus year full time IT career and becoming a father of six with his wife Elizabeth.