DERF NOLDE biography
Derf’s early musical studies were exclusively
classical. While in high school he studied
privately with Eleanor Sokoloff, a member of
the Curtis Institute of Music Faculty. He
completed a degree in psychology at the
University of Pennsylvania and then joined
the army. While in the service he discovered
the jazz clubs in Chicago. The first time he
heard the great trombonist George Brunis, it
brought tears to Derf’s eyes, and knew his
future musical course had been determined.
After the army, he started playing jazz clubs in Florida. Deciding to study further, he enrolled at the Manhattan School of Music where he completed Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees. He then took a position on the music Faculty of Rutgers University. After five years of teaching, he decided to leave academia and joined the American Recording Society in New York, doing A & R and quality control work. When he moved to Bucks County, Derf started a group of retail music stores and a company manufacturing small synthesizers. He began to do more performance, which gradually became his full time involvement.
Derf’s first extended engagement was at the Paddock, Trenton’s leading jazz club for many years. Following this, he formed the Keystone Jazz Group and began a wide range of performance. He has played with Urbie Green, Charles Fambrough, Bucky Pizzerella, The Midiri Brothers, Dave Bargeron, Ed Polcer, Dan Levinson, Bobby Levine, Warren Vache Jr., Tony DiNicola and many others. The Keystone Jazz Group has done concerts in Philadelphia, Princeton, Richmond, NYC, Eagles Mere and Chautauqua, New York. In addition to concerts, Derf and the Group have played at the Curtis Institute of Music, at the Academy of music for the Academy Ball and for Andre Previn’s reception, at the Philadelphia Art Museum, at the Pennsylvania Academy of fine Arts and for numerous parties and corporate events throughout the East Coast. .
Copyright 2007 - Derf Nolde and The Keystone Jazz Group Philadelphia, PA
