Deon started playing music at the age of eight at Guyton Elementary School on the East Side of Detroit. From there, he went on to Remus Robinson Middle School where he was introduced to jazz by teachers Donald Washington and Hosea Taylor whom Deon credits as being his musical father.
Taylor took Deon under his wing and the rest is history. While at Robinson he met and quickly became best friends with a young Rodney Whitaker (World renowned Jazz Bassist). Deon and Rodney joined the critically acclaimed, cutting edge performance ensemble: Bird~Trane~Sco~Now, where they later met, a then unknown, James Carter. In 2001 Deon was nominated for an Emmy Award for original music he produced for a Detroit Public Television program.
As a concert producer, Deon has put together large venue events with top artist like Detroit's own Kem and Dwele as well as national Artist like Diane Schure. He has also performed as a special guest on concerts with Kem, Dwele, Clarence Carter, Kirk Whalum, The Floaters, The Contours and many others.
Deon has toured nationally with the original number one Dave Matthews Tribute Band "The Tripping Billies" based out of Rochester, NY and seamlessly covered the style of Leroi Moore. With the release of his new CD "In Time", you can expect great things from Deon Yates, be sure to look for him around town and abroad.
Website :-
www.deonyates.net
