Jerry Zadera - Drums
In Memory 1936-2009
Jerry decided to become a musician at a very early age. His father was a professional musician, playing the trumpet. He tried to persuade Jerry to pursue music as a hobby, but he wouldn’t listen. Jerry use to tag along on gigs with him and occasionally had the opportunity to sit in. He got to play with some very great musicians at a very early age.
After High School Jerry enlisted in the Air Force and was assigned to a unit band. He got to travel all over the country and play for Presidents and many other dignitaries. While in the Air Force he studied with drummer Eldon D’Orio who was with Ringling Brother's Circus. Jerry got out after his 4 year enlistment.
Jerry came home and studied mallets with Louis Goucher of the Navy Band in Washington, DC. He auditioned and was accepted for the Naval Academy Band in 1961. During his time with the Academy Band he played in combos, marching band, concert band and big band. While still in the band he studied drums and Latin percussion with Bill Reichenbach of Charlie Byrd fame. He retired from the Naval Academy Band in 1977.
Jerry has continued playing locally with different bands. He was the original drummer with the “Chesapeake Greys”, a band made up of retired musicians from the Naval Academy Band. He also played for the “Zim Zimeral Band”. When asked to permanently join the Crabtowne Big Band as their drummer, he jumped at the chance. "It's like therapy being able to play with a Big Band”. It’s like belonging to a “private club”. Many people wish they had chosen a different profession in their life, but if Jerry had it to do over, he'd do the very same thing. Jerry says there's not a lot of money playing music, but the gratification and self satisfaction is well worth the sacrifice.
