Rochester Music Hall of Fame honors Roy McCurdy

The Rochester Music Hall of Fame (RMHF) announces its “Class of 2020” to be honored at an induction ceremony. Originally slated for April 26 at the Eastman Theater, the RMHF ceremony has been postponed to the Fall because of health concerns.

Born in Rochester, Roy McCurdy is one of the RMHF honorees. He started playing the drums at age 9 and went on to study music with Bill Street at the Eastman School of Music. At age 17, McCurdy started performing with Roy Eldridge and Eddie Vinson.

A renowned jazz drummer, McCurdy played with the Mangione Brothers (Chuck and Gap) in the 1960s. His illustrious career includes touring and recording with such legendary musicians as The Pointer Sisters, The Count Basie Orchestra, Herbie Hancock, Dionne Warwick, Sarah Vaughn, and Ella Fitzgerald.

Currently, McCurdy is an Adjunct Instructor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music.

Ticket holders for the RMHF induction ceremony that was originally scheduled for April may hold onto their tickets for the Fall event reschedule, or they may contact the Eastman Theater for a refund.

The Fall ceremony will be worth the wait, because McCurdy is scheduled to perform with other Rochester-based musicians, including Dan Vitale, bass; Colin Gordon, saxophone; Dino Losito, piano; and Bob Sneider, guitar.