Anderson White

Anderson White

(September 5, 1933 - December 18, 2000)

Anderson White was an active professional bassist. He was also a talented violist. Throughout his education, Anderson played in both band and orchestra. He received a BA degree and a MA degree in music education from the University of Michigan.

In addition to being a prominent Detroit jazz bassist, he was an educator. He taught and directed band and orchestra at Detroit elementary, junior high, and high schools. White also conducted all-state bands and orchestras in many states including summers at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Interlochen, and Ammerschule in Rottenberg, Germany.

One Los Angeles Times article said…“White was a big man, 220 or 230 pounds, and according to one of his students, not opposed, if a student had a problem with him, to step inside the gym, close the doors and settle differences. He also would reach into his own pocket if a child needed clothes or food, and on weekends he would load students and instruments into his station wagon and drive them to concerts, workshops and competitions. Bonita White, his wife of 14 years, says it was not unusual for several of his students to be seated with them at the dinner table on any given night…”

During his time as an educator in Detroit, he got student access to electric violins, amplifiers, and arrangements by symphonic jazz composer David Baker. Anderson White was an assistant professor of string pedagogy at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for 6 years.

After his tenure at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he moved to Indianapolis. Here, he made impactful contributions to the Indianapolis jazz scene, and of particular significance was his continued and important work in music education. He was a consultant for the entire IPS music department starting in 1979 and founded IPS Jazz Ensembles in 1980 which he also directed. He made an impact on many students through his expertise in string instruments and jazz knowledge.

In 1977, White co-founded The Black Jazz Music Caucus which was an independent affiliate of the National Association of Jazz Educators. “The initial purpose in forming the Caucus was to increase the representation of African American Jazz artists and educators within the larger body of the Jazz Educators Association which originated as a spinoff of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC).” White was also the string chairman and served on the advisory board of the National Association of Jazz Educators.

White’s main influence in jazz was Cedar Walton with whom he served in the Army along with Don Menza, Don Ellis, Gene Rush, Leo Wright, Lex Humphery, Houston Pearson, and Eddie Harris. Aside from his tremendous jazz education, he is a prominent strong teacher.

Anderson White received the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Education award for teachers. His candidacy for the award was initiated by former Miss Black America, Sonya Robinson, a jazz violinist.