Rusty Dedrick

With a career spanning seven decades, Rusty has made a unique contribution to the world of jazz. Solo brilliance has been the hallmark of this traditional jazz trumpeter, in addition to his creativity as an arranger and composer.

Dedrick first heard the siren song of jazz when he was in a music store in Buffalo, New York, where a Louis Armstrong record so mesmerized him that he bought the record, then returned home to save money for a phonograph player.

After brief studies at Fredonia (NY) State Teachers College, Rusty spent a two-year apprenticeship in jazz working with the band known as “”Mr. And Mrs. Swing,”” the Red Norvo/Mildred Bailey Orchestra, featuring the arrangements of a young Eddie Sauter. This was followed by two stints with Claude Thornhill (1941-42 and 1946-47) and the chance to play a book by Gil Evans. This experience, plus private studies with Paul Creston and Stefan Wolpe, were good preparation for a long career in the New York City jazz commercial music field. His credits included writing and/or playing with Maxine Sullivan, Lee Wiley, Lionel Hampton and others, along with radio and television studio work with Arthur Godfrey, Ed Sullivan, Sid Ceasar and more. At the same time, Rusty was recording his own LPs (some now reissused on CD).

In 1971 Dedrick joined the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music as Director of Jazz Studies. He has guest conducted many all-county high school jazz bands, as well as the prestigious American Jazz Orchestra.