Chris DeRosa

Chris DeRosa is a Professional Freelance Drummer/Producer/Composer who currently lives in New York City, although his experience has taken him to many parts of the world (over 55 countries). Chris was born in New Haven, Connecticut but later moved to nearby Guilford where he took up the drums. At a very young age Chris was mesmerized by the sounds of the ecm record label he would hear pouring out of his radio on WPKN’s late night Jazz program. He was fortunate enough to get a scholarship to attend the Educational Center For The Arts (ECA) High School and at 16 studied with North Texas University famed Drumset Professor Ed Soph while he was on sabbatical in Connecticut.

By Chris’ senior year in High School he was playing and performing with The Five Satins with whom he opened up for Chuck Berry at the Nassau Coliseum (at 18). Prior to that his 1st steady professional gig was with a local New Haven, Connecticut top 40 band called Horizon (at 15). Chris’ 1st professional recording session was with the Neapolitan singer Benny Del Mare for the album “Ménage A Te” recorded @Trod Nossel studio in Hamden, Connecticut. This recording led to Chris performing at many concerts and outdoor festivals throughout the Connecticut region with L’anima Benny’s backup band.

As a well-versed Seasoned Drummer Chris studied at both The Berklee College of Music where he received the prestigious Buddy Rich Jazz Masters scholarship and at the University Of Miami where he was the recipient of the Bowman Ashe scholarship for artistic and academic achievement. There he also received his Studio Music/Jazz Performance degree. While in Miami Chris was further influenced by the rhythms of both Jamaica and Cuba that still continue to shape his sound and style.

Chris’ resume reads like a who’s who in music and has played or recorded with the likes of Deborah Harry and Chris Stein (Blondie), Skinner Box, Nadia Ali, Rick Ross, H.R. (of Bad Brains), Motorbaby, Masspike Miles, Melba Moore, Phil Perry, The Deep Down, The Congregation Of Vapors, Kim Fahy (The Mabuses), ECA Jazz Ensemble, The Turn, Nate Ouderkirk, E-trance, Ben Stivers (MatchBox 20), Jonathan and Victor (Camper Van Beethoven), Nori Nori, Tony Scherr (Norah Jones), Fluffer, Laura Dawn (Moby), Peninsulin, Yoshiaki Masuo (Sonny Rollins), Jon Cowherd, Leo Traversa, Vibrolush, Jefferson Thomas, Ariya, Paul Mark & The Van Dorens, Magnet (Replacing Moe Tucker of the Velvet Underground), The Five Satins, Jed Davis, Jesse Malin, FlyinFisch, Air-O-Sol, Matt Bonelli (BeeGee's), Collider, Ivan Julian (The Voidoids), Mark White (The Spin Doctors), Yale University Big Band, Ron Dziubla (Ricky Martin), Willie Ruff, Bill Brown Quartet, Jeff Baker (a.k.a King Django), Matthew Brubeck, Chris DeRosa Group, and Monkfish

Broadway Shows: Oh! Calcutta (National and International Tours), Grease, Songs Of Paradise, and The Mikado

Producers: Daniel Rey (Ramones), Steve Eigner (Nelly), Jon Brion (Fiona Apple), Roger Fife (Tricky), Kramer (Ween), and “General” George Fullan (The Rolling Stones)

In The World Of Dance Chris Has Performed, Composed, or Accompanied Barbara Feldman Dance Co., Gus Solomons jr, Ron Brown (Evidence), Elisa Monte Dance, David Brown, Andrea E. Woods (Souloworks), Kun-Yang Lin, Ellis Wood Dance, Kosad, Peridance, David Dorfman Dance, Bebe Miller, Ana Marie Forsythe, Mark Morris Dance Group, Sean Curran, Gina Gibney Dance, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Douglas Nielsen, Doug Varone And Dancers, Larry Keigwin, Kevin Wynn, Donald Byrd, Jennifer Muller, 2nd Avenue Dance Co., The Island Moving Company, Joy Kellman, Dance Space Inc., Zeynep Tanbay, Jose' Limon Dance Foundation, Nicholas Leichter, Columbia University (Barnard), Paul Taylor Dance Co., University of Utah Dept.of Dance among others

Chris has also performed at many churches some of which include Trinity Grace, Redeemer, The Journey, Infinity, Citilights, Emmanuel, Grace Redeemer Church and Plymouth Church

Taught/Lectured: Marymount Manhattan College (Adjunct Professor), The NYACK School Of Music (Guest Lecturer), and at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts (Staff Musician, Guest Lecturer).

As a creative drummer Chris has been featured in Modern Drummer, DRUM!, Percfest, and The Black Page Magazine. Chris plays all styles of music (ie. Gospel, Rock, Jazz, Latin, Afro-Cuban, Pop, Punk, Brazilian, Samba, Bossa Nova, Country, Blues, Reggae, Dance Hall, Ska, Soca and Solo Drumming Among Others) and has released many offerings as both a leader and a sideman.

Chris has performed live on WPKN "Morning Maniac Music" (Bridgeport), WXPN’s (Philadelphia) “World Cafe”, WDST’s (Woodstock) “Sessions”, has toured the Middle East for the Armed Forces (in support of our troops), and toured China as part of a Jazz Cultural Exchange.

Chris Is A Member Of BMI, The Harry Fox Agency, and The University Of Miami & Berklee College of Music Alumni Associations.

Awards

Buddy Rich Jazz Masters scholarship from Berklee College of Music

Bowman Ashe scholarship for artistic and academic achievement from University of Miami

Gear

Chris Is Endorsed By & Deeply Grateful To: Vic Firth Drumsticks, Sabian Cymbals, Evans Drum Heads, Brady Snare Drums, RhythmTech, and Grover Pro Percussion

http://www.chrisderosa.com/equipment.html