Jerry Coleman was born in Nebraska and began playing drums around age 4 and started playing jazz professionaly when he was fifteen. He toured with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and the Ralph Marterie Orchestra. He moved to Chicago and started working with many jazz bands and as a studio musician.

Jerry has appeared on many jazz festivals, recorded works for the Hubbard Street Dance Co.,and performed with the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra. In 1985 he organized a jazz ensemble, "Jerry Coleman's Nineburner". This group has played at various jazz festivals including two appearances at the Chicago Jazz Festival in Grant Park and at the Ravinia Jazz Festival "Jazz in June".

He has played and recorded with Buddy DeFranco, Peggy Lee, Zoot Sims, Barney Kessel, Clark Terry, Herb Ellis, Carl Fontana, Billy Eckstine, Teddy Wilson, Cy Touff, Bobby Lewis, The Singers Unlimited, Bruce Robbins, Lynn Haney, The Forefront, and others.

This is Jerry playing "Gone With the Wind" from the Buddy DeFranco album "Gone With the Wind". (Buddy DeFranco - clarinet, Willie Pickens - piano, Todd Coolman - bass).