It's a bear!

Most of the instruments in my collection come to me with little or no history attached, but these two bass trombones that formerly belonged to Jerome "Jerry" Rosa are a welcome exception. Jerry (also know as "Happy") had a long career as a professional trombonist beginning in the late 1930's. I've been able to find information indicating that he played with Van Alexander, Red Norvo, Ray Miller, Jimmy Dorsey, Jerry Gray, Woody Herman, Claude Thornhill, Les Brown, and Dick Stabile, along with being a member of the Los Angeles-based NBC Orchestra.. I purchased the horns directly from Jerry's nephew (also named Jerry) in 2013, and they were accompanied by a collection of photographs and other memorabilia from Jerry's career. Many of the photographs had places and dates noted on the back, so I've tried to arrange them in chronological order.

Click on the photos for high-res images.

	Ray Miller Orchestra Swing Club 1938 Jerry is on the right in the back row.
	Ray Miller Orchestra Swing Club 1938 Jerry is the fourth in from the right (next to the vocalist)
	Ray Miller Orchestra Swing Club 1938 Jerry is on the right in the back row. There is a banner in the backgound (far right) that reads "TUES. SEPT. 27", which gives a rough date for these images.
	Alvino Rey and The 4 King Sisters undated, possibly from 1938 or 1939 Jerry is one in from the right in the second row of the band. Microphones marked "WOR" and "MUTUAL" can be seen in the trumpet section; WOR was (and still is) a radio station in New York City.
	Van Alexander Orchestra Steel Pier Atlantic City July, 1939 Jerry is at far right.
	Van Alexander Orchestra Steel Pier Atlantic City July, 1939 Jerry is at far right. Note the marquee abobe the band.
	Steel Pier Atlantic City July, 1939 Jerry is on the right. I think that's his brother Ed on the left; I found information indicating the Ed played with the Van Alexander Orchestra.
	Nola Studios New York City Summer, 1939 Jerry is on the right.
	Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra Panther Room Hotel Sherman Chicago, Illinois February, 1940 Jerry is the middle trombonist.
	Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra Panther Room Hotel Sherman Chicago, Illinois February, 1940 Jerry is the middle trombonist.
	Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra State Lake Theater Chicago, Illinois February, 1940 Jerry in the middle.
	Capital Bar Chicago, Illinois February, 1940 Jerry is on the left.
	Capital Bar Chicago, Illinois February, 1940 Jerry is third from the left.
	Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra Strand Theater New York City June, 1940 Jerry is the middle trombonist.
	Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra Strand Theater New York City June, 1940 Jerry is the middle trombonist.
	Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra Strand Theater New York City June, 1940 Jerry is the middle trombonist.
	Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra Strand Theater New York City June, 1940 Jerry is the middle trombonist.
	Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra Strand Theater New York City June, 1940 Jerry is the middle trombonist.
	Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra Strand Theater New York City June, 1940 Jerry in the spotlight.
	Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra Hotel Pennsylvania New York City August, 1940
	Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra Hotel Pennsylvania New York City August, 1940 Jerry is the trombonist to the right.
	Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra Hotel Pennsylvania New York City August, 1940 Jerry is the middle trombonist.
	Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra Hotel Pennsylvania New York City August, 1940 Jerry is the middle trombonist.
	Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra Hotel Pennsylvania New York City August, 1940 Jerry is the middle trombonist.
	Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra Hotel Pennsylvania New York City August, 1940 Jerry is the middle trombonist.
	JIMMY DORSEY TROMBONE SECTION 100% BACH Advertising card for Vincent Bach Corporation - front and back.
	Unmarked image. I cannot find Jerry is this photograph.
	Unmarked image. Note the microphone is marked "WNBC", a New York City radio station. I believe Jerry is the middle trombonist.
	Unmarked image. Jerry is in the center, standing.
	Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra Undated I haven't found any indication that Jerry played with the Casa Loma Orchestra, nor is he in these photographs. I think they might have been something he collected as a fan, possibly before the start of his own professional career. There are autographs from Frank Zullo, "Denny" Dennis, Dan D'Andrea, Pee Wee Hunt, Glenn Gray, Kenny Sargent, Pat Davis, Clarence Hutchenrider, Art Ralston, and Billy Rauch, plus what may be a partial from Joe Hall.
	Unmarked image. Jerry is the trombonist on the right, with a bass trombone - possibly one of these horns. If so, that would date the image as no earlier than about 1960.
	Image marked "Tommy Pederson" on back. I think Jerry is on the left, off the end of the ramp. Obviously taken from an NBC television production. Best guess as to date would be the early 1960's.
	Unmarked image. I think that Jerry is the trombone player closest to the camera. From the same production as the image above. The trumpet player looks like Al Hirt.
	Badges and ID card from the Bob Hope USO Tour "Operation Holly" December, 1968. Jerry took some notes during the tour; click here for scans.
	Jerry playing with the "Band of Renown" as the Golddiggers enter at Osan Airbase in South Korea December 19, 1968. The horn appears to be the newer of the two on this page. This photo is courtesy F. Lamar Lamb (www.lamarlamb.com) and is not to be duplicated or distributed without his express permission.