Yevgeny Petrovich Derbenko was born on March 17, 1949 in Pavlovsky Posad (Moscow Region). In 1973 he graduated from Gnesins' State Musical Pedagogical Institute (accordeon department lead by Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation A. N. Gus) Ever since then he is a composer, pedagogue, performer and Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation in Orel and Orel Region.Since 1974 he works as a teacher at the Orel Music College. Yevgeni Derbenko is the author of more than 1500 pieces, which he mostly writes for Russian folk instruments.
His works are concertos for accordeon, concertina, domra and balalaika with orchestra, concertos for two accordeons with symphonic orchestra, opera "The great deputation", sonatas, suites, miniatures, music for performances.