Obituary of Lyle Dedrick

Lyle "Rusty" Dedrick of Summitville, NY passed away at home on December 25, 2009. He was the son of the late George and Edith Dedrick, and was born in Delevan, NY on July 12, 1918. With a career spanning over seven decades. Rusty made a unique contribution to the world of Jazz. As a trumpeter, solo brilliance was his hallmark, in addition to his creativity as an arranger and composer. Rusty studied at Fredonia College and was tutored by composers Paul Ceston and Stefan Wolpe. He played with several prominent "Big Bands" including Dick Stabile, the Red Norvo/Mildred Bailey Orchestra, Ray McKinley, and the Claude Thornhill Orchestra. Rusty had a long career in the New York City Jazz music field. His credits include writing and/or playing with Don Elliot, Urbie Green, Maxine Sullivan, Lee Wiley, Lionel Hampton and others, as well as radio and television work with Arthur Godfrey, Ed Sullivan, Sid Ceasar, and more. At the same time, Rusty was recording his own LP's. In 1971, Rusty joined the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music as Director of Jazz Studies. As a pioneer in Jazz Education, his jazz band charts for the education field received acclaim for their creativity and accessibility by musicians of all ages. Throughout his jazz education career, Rusty continued to arrange and play, and in 1996 he was the musical director of the prestigious Smithsonian Institute American Songbook Series tribute to Fats Waller and Andy Razaf. Rusty completed the writing, arranging and recording of Music of America in 2007, which was a decade long project. Survivors include his wife, best friend, and soul mate of 64 years: Patricia Dedrick at home; his daughters: Doreen Dedrick and her husband Mark Lonergan of New York City, and Karin Dedrick and her husband George Piskoz of Kingston, NY; his son: Jeff Dedrick and wife Gail Dedrick of New York City; a sister: Ruth Taber of Belfast, NY; as well as many nieces and nephews. Rusty will be remembered for his love of family, nature, the New York Yankees, music and more than words can express. He was a gentle soul who left this world all too soon. A memorial service for family and friends will be held in the Spring. Arrangements under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Wurtsboro. For additional information please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com