Frank de la Rosa is enjoying retirement
Jazz musician looks back on a star-filled career
![Frank de la Rosa looks out toward the five-acre backyard of the Washougal home he shares with his wife Carolyn. Frank, 79, a former double bass player for singers including Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, retired in 2003. “I play the piano at home just for myself, and I do a lot of reading,” he said. “It’s a different generation [of entertainers] now. It’s a young kids’ game.”](http://columbian.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/croppedphotos/2013/02/26/0226_loc_Frank_de_la_Rosa_014_t620.jpg?fbf2daa044e08a86b24c9c38cd7501865a0e2373)
Frank de la Rosa looks out toward the five-acre backyard of the Washougal home he shares with his wife Carolyn. Frank, 79, a former double bass player for singers including Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, retired in 2003. “I play the piano at home just for myself, and I do a lot of reading,” he said. “It’s a different generation [of entertainers] now. It’s a young kids’ game.” Dawn Feldhaus
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Frank de la Rosa’s life story reads like a history lesson, including many familiar names in the music business.
His career has taken him around the world, and he is quite content to reflect on the highlights from his home in Washougal.
De la Rosa's love for music could be attributed to his father, a musician who played the bass. His mother did not encourage him to pursue it as a career, because she thought it provided an unstable lifestyle.
When de la Rosa picked up a congo musical instrument at a Latin club, musicians told him he had a natural rhythm and encouraged him to pursue music.
