Richard Aubrey Coleman's Obituary
Richard Aubrey Coleman passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2009 in Covington, LA.
Rich Coleman is from Washington, DC and has been a professional musician for 39 years. The only son of an accomplished violinist, Rich began his music studies at 7 years of age. He studied the violin for seven years. When he turned 14 years old, he switched to drums and percussion and studied with Bill Chisholm, one of Washington, DC’s most respected show drummers.
On his 16th birthday, Rich completed a music audition in front of a panel of musicians representing the American Federation of Musicians Local 161-710 in Washington, DC. He then started performing with his father’s 17 piece group composed of a 5 piece rhythm section and 12 strolling violins. The group known as the “Strolling Strings” was very much in demand in the Washington area in private and political circles. The group performed at many Washington, DC hotels and on Capital Hill for members of Congress. Rich has shared the stage with many of Washington, DC’s finest musicians including: Guitarist Billy Gibson of the Gibson Guitar Company, Violinist Rut Hawn, father of Actress Goldie Hawn, and Bruce Steig, the principle piano player and conductor of the Metropolitan Opera Company.
While in college in Daytona Beach, Florida, Rich performed with various musicians and groups including nationally renowned jazz pianist Dave McKenna and Lead Trumpet Player Don Trube of the Buddy Morrow Orchestra who recorded the hit song “Night Train”.
On the local scene, Rich has performed with the jazz trio he formed in 2005 in the Mandeville and Covington area. Known as the Bob Ellis Trio, the group composed of piano, bass and drums, is recognized as the best jazz and easy listening trio on the Northshore. Bob Ellis on piano and vocals has performed locally at the Royal Orleans Hotel for 12 years as a single entertainer. When joining Rich Coleman on drums and John Gillis on bass, the group transforms into a very sophisticated listening as well as dancing experience.
Bob Ellis has performed with Steve Lawrence and Eyde Gorme on the NBC Today Show in New York and the Copa Cabana Club in New York City, as well as many venues all over the world with the United States Air Force Band.
John Gillis who is a Dentist by profession is from Terre Haute, Indiana. John is also an accomplished jazz musician and has performed with many groups in Indianapolis, Indiana. He moved to New Orleans in the early 70’s and has performed with many local musicians including the Herb Tassin Orchestra at the Fairmont Hotel’s Blue Room in New Orleans. Dr. Gillis has also performed at the Steak Knife on Harrison Avenue in Lakeview with his own modern jazz group known as “Absolute Brew”.
The Bob Ellis Trio has a 3,000 song repertoire and performs music from America’s Great Song Book and love songs from many countries around the world including the worlds most beautiful bosa novas from Brazil.
The trio performed at D.Lamarque’s Italian Restaurant in Mandeville for 14 months as well as Benjamin’s Bistro in Covington, LA during the Friday Night Block parties. The group has also performed locally at Keith Young’s Supper Club in Madisonville and Crown Plaza Hotel in New Orleans.
In addition to being an accomplished musician, Rich Coleman is an aviation professional and flys for the Department of Homeland Security as a Federal Officer and pilot. He graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1975 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical Science. He started flying when he was 16 years old paying for flying lessons from his music performances. Rich earned his Private Pilot License at 17 years of age before entering college. Rich achieved all his FAA Pilot Certificates at the minimum age by law, including the Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, the highest grade of pilot license issued by the FAA at the age of 23. He holds six instructor ratings and has logged over 11,525 hours in 42 types of aircraft including 2,700 hours in jets. Rich has been a pilot for the Federal Government for 22 years.
Rich is also a Shriner and does volunteer work for Jerry Lewis.
Age 56 years, a native of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Rich has been a resident in Beau Chene for the last five years.
He was the beloved son of Richard Adam Coleman and his wife Donna, and he was preceded in death by his mother, Joan Ritchie Coleman.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to a gathering on Monday, April 20, 2009 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W. 21st. Ave., Covington, LA 70433. Funeral services will be in Shillington, PA at Klee Funeral Home, 1 East Lancaster Ave., on Friday, April 24, 2009, at 2:00 PM, with visitation beginning at 1:00 PM.
Interment will follow services in Salem Shalter's Church Cemetery, Blandon, PA.
Flowers will be accepted, but should be arranged in Shillington, PA only.
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