Derek Mortland

Columbus, Ohio

Derek Mortland is a musician, teacher, artist, writer, and disability advocate. Mortland was paralyzed in a semipro motorcycle accident in 1997 and decided to relearn guitar and pursue a career in music and teaching. In 2002 he released his debut album, Medicine Wheel, dedicated to those who had supported him as he learned about his disability. As a guitarist, Mortland presents musical challenges with odd time signatures and key changes. In 2008 he collaborated with Native American flutist Michael Joseph on the album Sketches in Time and was in the mixing and mastering process for a new live CD of virtuosic, jazz-inspired, 12-string solo works.