Roland Paolucci
February 28, 1938 — September 19, 2016
We will have a “Celebration of Life” for Roland on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016 from 3-6PM at Guzzetta Hall at The University of Akron. At 3PM, people can gather in the Atrium (lobby) of Guzzetta Hall to enjoy each other’s company. From 3:30 to 5:00PM, in Guzzetta’s performing arts auditorium, there will be a concert and opportunities for musicians to “sit in” and for people to share their memories of Roland. Roland conducted many concerts there with his Jazz Ensemble and Lab Band during his years as Director of Jazz Studies. After that, people are welcome to go to the Atrium (lobby) of Guzzetta to enjoy each other’s company, talk to family members, have refreshments etc. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to The Roland Paolucci Scholarship fund to help young musicians pursue their studies in music.
Roland Paolucci, 78, passed away peacefully September 19, 2016, surrounded by his loved ones.
He studied composition at the Cleveland Institute of Music and earned his Masters Degree in Arts Administration
at The University of Akron. Retired as Professor Emeritus at The University of Akron’s School of Music. In 1978 he
created and implemented the Jazz Studies Program. Soon after, the U of A Jazz Ensemble was invited to perform
and record at the distinguished Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Roland cherished that experience and was
forever proud. Many of those young players maintained friendship with him and are celebrated in today's jazz world.
Besides being a respected and loved educator, he was a gifted jazz pianist and arranger.
During his tenure as Musical Director/Conductor of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, he established the means for it to
become the highly respected orchestra it is today.
Preceded in death by son Eric, and parents Robert and Filomena.
Survived by his wife Marci, the love of his life. Also
survived by children Anna and Ilya (Melissa), Marci's children Hannelore Fineman (Andrew), Jamie and Dylan Dettling,
and 12 grandchildren: Seth, Caleb, and Olivia Lipocky, Camden, Isaac, Jason, Aaron, Katelyn, Mya, and Sophia Paolucci,
Jamie Dettling, and Michaela Fineman.
A celebration of his life will be announced at a later date. Gifts to a scholarship and foundation supporting young musical
students may be made in lieu of flowers.
Charitable donations may be made to:
Department of Development ATTN: Kim Cole
University of Akron, Akron OH 44325-2603
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Roland Paolucci, please visit our flower store.