Adler was born in New York City in 1915 and grew up during the Depression. His father gave him his first drum at the age of 13, and before receiving any formal instruction he was offered his first drumming gig at age 15 in Belmar, New Jersey. Henry learned the timpani in Brooklyn's Lincoln High School orchestra and was soon playing on CBS’s Horn and Hardart’s Children’s Hour.

As a young man Henry spent his time observing the professional percussionists who were entertaining at the Edison Hotel. By the time he was 20, he was a much sought-after percussionist and played with many of the greats of the big band era including Wingy Manone, Joe Marsala, Louis Prima, Larry Clinton, and the RCA Victor Studio Orchestra.

In 1938 while playing with Joe Marsala’s band at New York’s Hickory House, Henry invited Buddy Rich, who he recognized as a remarkable talent, to sit in with the band. This catapulted Rich’s career and solidified their life-long friendship. In 1942, Adler and Rich wrote Buddy Rich’s Modern Interpretation of Snare Drum Rudiments, one of the most popular snare drum rudimental books ever written.

In the late 1940s, Adler opened the Henry Adler Music Company on West 46th Street in the heart of New York’s Times Square. With its retail store at street level and numerous music studios above, Adler’s building became the hub for top musicians to teach their pupils and gather for laughs and music talk. Numerous renowned percussionists studied under Adler including Louie Bellson, Jack Sperling, Roy Burns, Phil Kraus, Sonny Payne, John Perilli, Sonny Igoe, Jim Petercsak, Al Lepak, Doug Allen, Tony DiNicola, Lou Gatti, and Sandy Feldstein, among many others.

Over the course of his career, Adler recognized the great importance of educational material and decided to become a publisher of music for professionals and students. A few of his books include Buddy Rich Today, How to Play Latin-American Rhythm Instruments, and the Roy Burns and Sandy Feldstein Elementary and Intermediate Drum Methods. To this day, many of Adler’s publications are used in the top music schools around the country.

In the 1980s, Henry was featured in the movie Desperately Seeking Susan, adding another dimension to his already multifaceted career.

Never one to slow down, Henry, well into his 80s, continued to share his passion for teaching. Up until the end of his life, he was regularly receiving numerous phone calls and letters soliciting advice.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities, 4405 DeSoto Road, Sarasota, Florida 34235.

*Article found and used from the PASIC website.

Click Here for the PAS Hall Of Fame Article on Henry Adler