James Asmussen

I was a couple of years behind Joe in high school, and met him when Clem DeRosa suggested that I take some lessons from Joe.  He opened my ears to playing trombone with musical and melodic interpretation.  After my graduation, I played in the Alumni Band, sitting next to Joe for a whole summer.

At DeRosa's memorial service, Joe reminded me of a gig at some south shore yacht club, when the band was packed into a corner, and he started a background riff that got the whole band on fire.  It felt so good, so right, that I cracked up, laughing and stamping my feet, unable to play my horn.

I feel so privileged to have had many great musical experiences in my life, but playing next to Joe is right up there at the top.

James Asmussen