Rick Kerber, 45, died on Thursday,
October 28, 1999. Rick was born in Philadelphia. He was a professional musician
and music educator.
He earned his bachelor's degree in music education form Temple University
in 1975.
After graduation, he began performing for headliners in casino showrooms
in Las Vegas, Nevada and in Casinos in Atlantic City.
He performed with Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Harry Connick, Jr. and Frank
Sinatra among many others.
He also did extensive recording work for Columbia, Atlantic and MCA and
can be heard on local TV and radio jingles.
Mr. Kerber conducted the Region III Junior and Senior High School Jazz Ensembles
and recently was the composer for the
Junior & Senior High Jazz Trumpet Etudes for the New Jersey International Association for Jazz Education.
Since 1996, Rick was the conductor of the Mid-Atlantic All-Star Grammy High
School Jazz Ensemble.
For the last five years, he was an artist/clinician for the Yamaha Corporation
and also a member of the Music Educators National Conference,
International Association for Jazz Education, Vice President of the New
Jersey Unit of IAJE,
International Trumpet Guild and a voting member of the National Academy
of Recording Arts and Sciences.
He was a frequent adjudicator for high school jazz festivals in the tri-state
area and also a sought after clinician.
He is survived by his wife,
Florence; a son Paul and a daughter Ashley, both at home;
his parents, Heinz and Ilse Kerber of Warminster, Pa.; a brother, Ron of
Southampton, Pa.; three nephews and seven nieces.
The New Jersey Association for Jazz Education
has established a scholarship fund in the memory of Rick Kerber.
Donations may be sent to:
The Rick Kerber Scholarship
Fund
c/o Michael Anzuini, NJAJE
Steinert HS
2900 Klockner Rd
Trenton, NJ 08690-2899
Make checks payable to:
Rick Kerber Scholarship Fund