05/01/2024
Joe DeRose '92 is the May 2024 Alumni of the month!
Can you briefly describe your journey since graduating from Archbishop Mitty High School?
In 1994, Joe followed his dream and moved to Boston to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music. He graduated in 1998, with a Bachelors in Performance, Magna Cum Laude.
After Berklee, Joe has toured and recorded with such greats as Jazz vocalist, Robin McKelle, Boston Blues-Diva, Toni Lynn Washington, Kofy Brown, Hristo Vitchev, and Geno and the Blue Island Band. Joe also leads his own Jazz-Fusion group, Joe DeRose and Amici. They have two recordings out titled “Sounds for the Soul” and “Peace Streets”, which was on the ballot for a Grammy for “Best Instrumental Jazz” in 2013.
Most recently, Joe has released his first instructional drum book titled “16th Note Possibilities”, which is currently available digitally on Hudson Music and is available in hard copy form on this site in the store.
What is your favorite memory from your years at AMHS? Any classmates or teachers that had a significant impact on you?
One of my favorite moments at Mitty was going to get help with my math homework at the math lab after school. Brother Gorg would help me and was such an inspiration to me. He had to be in his 90’s and his brain was so sharp. That was a true mentorship that I had much gratitude for and definitely wanted to pass on through my education and mentoring.
How did your time at AMHS influence your personal and professional growth?
During my 4 year stay at Mitty, one of the student’s parents, Tal Hicks, educated me about jazz music. His daughter, Erika, was also a student at Mitty who played piano and who later formed a jazz-quartet with Rick Silvestri on Bass and Amanda Wong on Flute.
Joe is a private instructor and mentor at The Rhythm located in San Jose. He has also recently created his very own signature drumstick, Joe DeRose's, "The Pocket"
You can schedule lessons or purchase the drumsticks on joederosedrums.com.
Read more about Joe on mittyalumni.com
