Dedrick, Art, 1915-1980

Arthur Wilson Dedrick was born on August 1, 1915 in Lyndon, New York, according to his birth record, though his 1940 draft registration card lists the adjacent town of Franklinville as his birthplace. Dedrick took up the trombone, and his brother Lyle "Rusty" Dedrick took up the trumpet, launching a distinguished career of this own. Art Dedrick graduated from the State University College of New York at Fredonia, and then worked as a trombonist and arranger with Red Norvo, Joe Marsala, Claude Thornhill, and Vaughan Monroe. He also worked as a staff arranger for Buffalo, New York radio stations WGR and WBEN. He is best known for his work in music publishing and jazz education as a founder of Kendor Music, authoring over 300 compositions and arrangements. He later arranged for the pop music group The Free Design, which included several of Dedrick's children. Art Dedrick died in Tucson, Arizona on January 20, 1980.