Ed Cozzalino Memories
Ben Wilt
I first met Coz in the fall of 1961while I was with the Grey Knights. He had
just moved to Rochester and was Arranging/ instructing for both the Emerald
Cadets and St. Joe's. He would come to Grey Knight rehearsals and sit in the
baritone line along side of me. He would work with the bari line and work with
the entire horn line when Sal Sperazza wasn't there. He was a young man with
unlimited energy and a talent for cleaning a line like no one I have ever met.
I was so impressed with his ability that I went to St. Joe's at the end of the
62 season. I wasn't the only one who went to Joe's because of Ed; There were 12
of us from Rochester that went. It was the first time that Sully allowed kids
from outside the St. Joseph parish join the corps. We were all from the streets
of Rochester and Sully referred to us as the Dirty Dozen.
Ed wrote a new book for the now much bigger and talented horn line. At our
first show, the Preview of Champions, We lost to everyone but the Bon Bons. Ed
promised us that by the end of the year we would beat them all. Ed worked the
horn line to death that summer and our last show of the year in Syracuse NY we
won the show, beating the Toronto Optimist and the Garfield Cadets for the
first time. The following year, 1964, Ed wrote an original score, "Santa Jose"
for our off the line. By the end of that year, we managed to beat every one of
the top corps in the country except the Cavies, to whom we lost by one tenth in
Momence IL. St. Joe's Alumni still plays "Jose" from time to time as a tribute
to Ed.
Everyone who knew him will sadly miss Ed. His contributions to the activity
that we all love should not be forgotten. St. Joe's will see to it that his
name is submitted for enshrinement into the Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 2002.
Rest in peace Coz
Ben Wilt
MSJ Alumni PR
Tom & Karen Peashey
I thought I would share this email I just received from another old time
Western New Yorker... none other than Richard "Rocco" Oliverio. His
memories say a lot for what a small "family" drum corps is.
Rocco, I hope you don't mind me posting this without your permission... and
thank you again for sharing your memories...
The following was received tonight:
I would very much like to add my name to list of people personally mourning
the loss of Ed.
I can still remember the first year he came to the Salamanca Black Knights
to teach his first arrangements. While we sat that night having dinner with
the first out of the area teacher I remember asking him questions that I had
asked other people before, and couldn't get answers for. Not only did he
answer my questions, he went to the piano to show me how my ideas would
sound if played and how they could be voiced, etc. It was the first time I
realized that other people could hear it in their heads, too!!!!!! My
personal world was changed that day!
The first chart he did was "till the clouds roll by," and it was my very
first exposure to pure musicianship. And, I don't think he wrote it for us
first. I think he was merely bringing a chart to hear our talents before he
wrote the actual book for us!
It was Ed that motivated me to want more from myself and the other members
of our local corps. In fact, at a subsequent camp months later, when he had
to a chance to see how much more I wanted from corps than my corps was
giving me, Ed told me that I should go to Batavia where I could show off my
talents more as a player. He said I would be the soloist for sure. To this
day I can remember trying to hitchhike to Batavia for a rehearsal. Started
at 3:00 in the afternoon, but never made it there. Never even thought about
how or when I would get home. Just wanted to be there with the kids. That
was when they had the green satin blouses. Never got to St. Joes, but was
great friends with many of the staff and members there. They knew I wanted
to be there, but couldn't. Great people!!!!!!!!
My point was that Ed was the perfect example for the young musicians and
performers entrusted to him. And his voicings were exquisite......
Counterpoint unparalleled to this day.
Yes, drum corps has lost a true innovator and founder in the musical arena.
I count myself blessed for having known him.
On behalf of my friends still back in New York, and the Kingsmen alumni here
in Anaheim, I wish his friends strength and solace in the knowledge that
Ed's work will remain his testimony for many generations to come. To those
that worked with him, we were all blessed to be in the presence of a true
genius.
Richard Oliverio
Executive Director
Anaheim Kingsmen
Dennis Morris
Watkins Glen Squires. In 1971 and 72 Cozz made many a trip down to Watkins
to give all us little kids the benefit of his skill and inspiration.
Rocco's story reminds of the time Cozz sat down in the lobby of the
Jefferson Hotel (one of those old downtown establishments-yes Watkins had a
downtown) at an old piano and hammered out the the end of of our
closer--much to the entertainment of those at the bar.
Cozz could make ticks dissappear and he taught us to play with emotion.
Cozz would tell us about St Joes and how they rose to become a power. He
told us we could do it too and we believed him. Along the way the little
kids went from 21st place in NY to 13th in DCI.
Thanks Cozz.
Dennis Morris
mark potwora
DCI class A that year...
"Tom & Karen Peashey" <tpea...@rochester.rr.com> wrote in message
news:CEa%6.2443$mj7.7...@typhoon.nyroc.rr.com...