Education
He studied composition at Juilliard. DeRosa earned a Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting from the Manhattan School of Music.
bandleader music educator jazz musician
He studied composition at Juilliard. DeRosa earned a Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting from the Manhattan School of Music.
Before World World War II, DeRosa performed in the New York City area. He was drafted in the United States. Army and performed with Miller"s Air Corps band. After being discharged, he worked as a professional drummer in 1950s, performing with Charles Mingus (Jazzical Moods, 1954), Marian McPartland, Teo Macero, Teddy Wilson, Thad Jones, Ben Webster, Clark Terry, Philosophy Woods, Coleman Hawkins, Dennis Sandole, Wally Cirillo (1927–1977), John LaPorta (Conceptions, 1957), Kenyon Hopkins, and Bobby Hackett.
He went on to teach music
In the 1960s, DeRosa was influential in formalizing jazz music education. Through the NAJE, DeRosa taught with the Stan Kenton Clinics where he collaborated with Kenton and other jazz education pioneers, including Gene Hall, and Leon Breeden.
He taught at the Teachers College, Columbia University. His student ensembles performed on the television shows of Johnny Carson and Merv Griffin.
DeRosa received an honorary doctorate from the Five Towns College in 1990 and was inducted into the IAJE Hall of Fame.
After retirement in 1980, he worked mainly as a leader. He led the Glenn Miller Orchestra, whose recording in the Digital Mood for GRP Records received a Gold Disc. He also led the ghost bands of Jimmy Dorsey.
In the 1990s, DeRosa led the New York City Big Band.
He coauthored books with Mel Lewis, Dick Hyman, Michael Moore, and Editor Shaughnessy.