What started out as a mere idea became a reality in 1989 when entertainment and high tech marketing entrepreneur Stanley Stain and special event promoter, merchandising/apparel industry executive Don Derbigny teamed up to form Onyx Productions LTD. For the past twenty years, Onyx has established a stellar reputation as one of LA’s leading event production and promotion companies that has specialized in producing high profile entertainment productions, fundraisers and special events. 

In 1999, Stain and Derbigny partnered with entertainment producer and promoter Roland Wirt to create Jazz@Sea, which has become Southern California’s premier upscale live entertainment format and venue. For over ten (10) years, Onyx and Jazz@Sea, have become one of LA’s most successful, and premier live entertainment venues and jazz formats that caters to an upscale clientle – hosting exclusive invitation-only events that guarantee a plush, elegant atmosphere, world class great entertainment and five star venues..

In 2008, Stain and Derbigny once again teamed up to form Onyx World Class Events and they are now setting the pace and taking West Coast special event productions and promotions to the next level. 

A key component to the Onyx success formula is that they focus the spotlight on Onyx customers, clients, sponsors and friends.

Onyx gets out of the way so you can have a great time with… “No Drama” ….with Onyx…you are the Star !

Onyx World Class Events has also established key strategic alliances and partnerships, including Fantasea Yacht Productions and Charter.

Onyx and Jazz@Sea, have hosted celebrity and entertainment galas featuring some of the music industries top touring and studio musicians and an exciting array of contemporary jazz and  highly acclaimed Los Angeles-based R&B and Jazz performers such as: Kevin Toney, Everett Harp, Phil Perry, Ronnie Laws, Howard Hewett, Miki Howard, Ali Woodson, Chante Moore, Evelyn Champagne King, Vesta, Kashif, Al Jarreau, Phil Upchurch, Gail Jhonson, Joey Sommerville, Lina, Gary Taylor, Marcus Johnson, Rodney Taylor and LA’s best studio and touring musicians.

Other Los Angeles based-breaking recording artists, performers, studio and touring musicians we have hosted, have included, violinist, Karen Briggs; keyboardist, Gail Jhonson, guitarists, Ricky Rouse, saxophonists Cal Bennett, Louis Van Taylor, Mark Felton, Chazzy Green, Aaron Fletcher, Pancho Williams; drummers Jeff Suttles, Cory Mason, Laval Bell, music groups, Himalaya, Clueless,  Diva’s, Az Iz, Elaments, Satellite Orchestra, Asha; and exciting vocalists, Jeff Robinson, Yoli Tamu, Michael Speaks, Indeya, Lynne Fidmont, Mademe D, Asysha, Maia;  Trumpeter and many more.

Other special event promotions, have included the record release party for MCA/Magic Johnson recording artist Avant, Marcus Johnson, private NBA All-Star Weekend party honoring NBA legend Dominique Wilkins and get-aways to Cancun Jazz Festival, Bahamas Jazz Festival and the Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival.

Corporate sponsors have included, Anheuser-Busch Companies (Budweiser, Bud Light, Bacardi Silver), Porche, Audi, Mercedes Benz, Seagram, and others.

Don Derbigny Mr. Derbigny has an appreciation of the mixed cultures, music, food, people, art and entertaining in his native town of New Orleans. After serving in the Navy, and completing his studies at Cal State Dominguez Hills College, he landed a job at Levi Strauss & Co. Mr. Derbigny developed “Smart Clothes“, a contemporary clothing line for teens/young adults and “Give-and-Go“, a sports line co-founded by NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins.
Stanley Stain Mr. Stain is a Partner in Diverse Entertainment which has provides marketing, promotion and production services to to music and cable industry clients. He co-directed the BET/Unity national concert tour and festival which featured: Gerald Levert, Kriss Kross, Fugee’s, Wu Tang Clan, X-scape, Shanice, Outcasts, and others. Stain’s civic and community involvement is extensive and includes, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

This page was last updated on Monday, October 20th, 2008 at 12:28 pm.