Jerry de la Rosa Biography

By: Ramiro Burr Freelance writer

JERRY DE LA ROSA November 18, 1965 -August 27, 2007 From his humble hometown of Laredo, Texas to the large metroplex that is San Antonio, Jerry De La Rosa was a sincere, talented individual who made his mark in the world of Tejano. He played with several groups including Fandango USA, Gary Hobbs, Jay Perez and Los Big Chihuahuas. He recorded with many of those stars and was also in demand as a studio musician. Jerry was born in Laredo, Texas, a large city across the Rio Grande from Nuevo Laredo, on the Mexican border. He attended Christen Junior High School where he began performing in the school band. Jerry's first taste of music came when he started playing drums in a group that was part of the Nueva Vida Assembly of God Church where his father was a pastor. Jerry was self-taught when it came to learning music. He taught himself how to play piano and he eventually moved to trumpet when he would really excel. It was in his high school days that Jerry really began getting noticed for his virtuosity. Not only did he win numerous school competition awards, he led the J. W. Nixon High School Band to the top prize at the National UIL competition in his senior year. His virtuosity led to a full scholarship to attend Texas Tech University in Lubbock. But after two years, the pull of live music was too much and Jerry joined his first band, Lynda V & the Boys. From there Jerry spent time with Fandango USA, Gary Hobbs, Jay Perez and Los Big Chihuahuas. By the 1990s, Jerry had developed a solid reputation as a prolific and in-demand studio musician. He often sat in on dozens of recording sessions with many of the top players in Central Texas. Singer Jay Perez said he considered De La Rosa more than just a musician. "To me he was an artist," said Perez. "Musically, he was a monster, he was phenomenal. But he was also a special human being. Everybody fell in love with him. He was a beautiful person, full of life." De La Rosa played with Perez from 1992 through 1998 and is on all these early Perez CDs. All the artists, fans, friends and family that De La Rosa touched, still remember him as if it was yesterday. "Jerry was an extraordinary person," said Christian singer Israel Maldonado. "He had a beautiful, charismatic personality. He was real funny, he was good people." This special CD, organized by Graphic Studio Music, Inc. owner/producer/graphic designer Jorge Flores, is a loving all-star tribute to De La Rosa, from many of the artists he worked and played with through the years. Proceeds from sale of the CD will go to his wife, Yvonne De La Rosa, to help with funeral and medical expenses. For his amazing talent, his memorable performances and especially, his ability to connect with people, De La Rosa will be remembered as one of the most unforgettable players in Tejano music.