(June 12, 2026) Derrick Benford is a working musician because that’s what he was born to be. The Detroit native grew up in a musical home, and he heard it all. So, it’s not surprising that Benford chose to study music in college and then pursue a career as a professional musician.
Benford has his own band, The Derrick Benford Trio, and he also plays keyboards for The Gene Dunlap Band. Both bands give Benford a chance to groove and improvise. Benford’s latest song, “Just Because” (Feat. Chantae Cann and Remey Willliams) finds Benford slowing the groove down in the interest of allowing Cann and Williams to dive into a duet in which two people describe being totally into each other.
The laid-back groove also serves as a platform for Benford to improvise on the keyboard. He displays a deft touch on piano riffs that fall soft like a gentle shower. Those riffs play well in Cann’s trademark angelic and erotically conversational vocals that are a romantic contrast to Williams’ rangy baritone.
Benford said that “Just Because” “is about being so into somebody that loving them feels natural – no pressure, no special occasion, no reason needed. When somebody really has your heart, you just want to show up for them, be there for them, and make them feel loved just because that’s what’s in you. It’s that deep type of feeling that stays on your mind and pulls you closer to them every chance you get.”
Check it out here.
By Howard Dukes
