John Kutz Rowland

Rowland, John Kutz
93, of Scottsdale, AZ died November 7, 2008 at home after a short illness in the company of family. Born April 28, 1915 in Harvard, Illinois, he moved with his family to Buffalo, New York at age 10. He studied drums with his father and at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He toured the East Coast with dance bands in the 1930's. He retired from the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in 1980 after four decades as percussionist, some of those years as Principal Percussionist. John also was one of the founders of the New Percussion Quartet which toured nationally, was featured guest quartet with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and in Carnegie Hall in New York City in the late 1960's to mid 1970's. After his retirement, he moved to Scottsdale and joined the Scottsdale Symphony as timpanist from 1985 to 1997. John was a 33rd-degree Mason and Shriner, and played with the El Zaribah band in Phoenix. In addition to his music career, John taught drum pupils who went on to perform with nationally known rock bands, internationally known jazz bands, college music faculties, the United States Marine Band and major symphony orchestras. John was as proud of his many successful drum and percussion pupils as he was his own career. According to his former wife, Dr. Roberta Rowland of Scottsdale, during the time period of the mid 1970's to the mid 1980's he had taught two thirds of the drummers listed in the musicians directory of Local 92 of the American Federation of Musicians Local 92, Buffalo, New York. His son Frank continues his father's musical legacy as a drummer locally, playing at St. Thomas the Apostle and with The Connection and the Robert Street Band; thus he is the 4th generation musician. In addition to the talent, John was unfailingly patient, kind and of good humor. In addition to his former wife and son, John is survived by his daughter, Rachel Rowland of Phoenix, and a brother Arthur, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A memorial service will be held Sunday November 16, 2pm in Faith Christian Community Church at 5334 East Thunderbird Road, Scottsdale.