Cool School: Keeping An American Art Form Alive
Clem De Rosa is the kind of music teacher we all wanted when we were in school. A member of the International Association of Jazz Educators Hall of Fame, he and other professional musicians share their love of jazz with middle school and high school musicians at the Count Basie Cool School’s Youth Jazz Training Program in Red Bank.
De Rosa began playing professionally when he was 15 years old and served as a member of one of Glenn Miller's Air Corps bands during World War II. After his discharge, he resumed his career as a professional drummer, recording and performing with Charlie Mingus, Marian McPartland, Teo Macero, Teddy Wilson, Thad Jones, Ben Webster, Clark Terry, Phil Woods, Coleman Hawkins, John LaPorta, Kenyon Hopkins, Bobby Hackett and others.
He studied composition and conducting at the Juilliard School and holds a master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music. He has conducted the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He received a gold record for his assistance in the production of the Miller Orchestra's "In the Digital Mood," has taught at Columbia University's Teachers College, and produces corporate events.
This article, written by Kathy Hall, appeared in the October 6th, 2005 publication of The Hub.
Published Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005