Tolton Rosser

Tolton Columbus Rosser Jr (born July 29, 1932 in Birmingham; died October 31, 2023 in Birmingham) was a musician, educator, and long-time director of the Birmingham Heritage Band.

Rosser was the son of Tolton and Grace Sands Rosser of Birmingham. He attended Washington Elementary School through eighth grade and picked up the trumpet under the tutelage of a neighbor who had played in a military band. He went on to learn under Wilson Driver at Ullman High School, and then spent 11th and 12th grade at Parker High School. Many of Rosser's classmates accepted music scholarships to Alabama A&M University, but he was not among them, and instead spent the summer touring with Gatemouth Moore and Bull Moose Jackson and performing with Erskine Hawkins and Lionel Hampton. By mid-autumn he was relieved to accept an invitation to rejoin his classmates in Huntsville and quickly found his place in the marching ensemble while also contributing to several local dance bands, including his own group, the A&M Collegiates.

He completed his bachelor of science in English and social studies, magna cum laude from Alabama A&M in 1952 and enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After returning home, he enrolled at the Alabama State University, completing a master's in education in 1959. He later completed an associates degree at UAB in 1974 and a doctorate in education at the University of Alabama in 1985.

Rosser began his career as a band director for Talladega City Schools. From there he was hired to direct bands at Abrams High School, and then transferred to Jess Lanier High School as vice principal. He was made principal of Davis Middle School before retiring in 1997. He also served as an adjunct professor at Miles College from 2010 to 2013.

Rosser was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame with the class of 1982. He later served on the Hall's board of directors. He began leading the Birmingham Heritage Band in 1999. He passed the baton to Bo Berry in 2022.

Rosser was also a 32nd Degree Mason in the Shriners, a member of the Improved Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks of the World, active in the Birmingham Musicians' Protective Association, and a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Bessemer Kiwanis Club.

Rosser and his wife, Hazel had two children, Kenneth and Kimberly.

Rosser died in October 2023. After a memorial service at Union Bethel Christian Church he was buried at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo.

References

• Ciammachilli, Esther (May 5, 2017) "The Heritage Band: Keeping Birmingham’s Big Band Spirit Alive." WBHM.org
• Saintjones, Jerome (October 24, 2019) "Birmingham Native Brought Jazz to the Hill." AAMU News
• "Dr. Tolton Columbus Rosser" obituary (n.d.) Smith & Gaston Funeral Services
• Stuart, Shauna (November 14, 2023) "‘He taught me patience’: Alabama jazz musician Dr. Tolton Rosser remembered as stern but compassionate." AL.com