Larry McCloskey began playing the drums when he was 6 years old. By age 10, he was already playing in local nightclubs.

The North Huntington resident’s youthful passion for the drums later spiraled into a lifelong musical career.

McCloskey, who also was known professionally as Larry Mardell and Larry McCluskey, played with high profile jazz stars like George Benson, Earl Klugh and Jackie Wilson.

During his four decades of experience, he amassed a drum collection worth thousands of dollars.

When McCloskey died of lung cancer in July, Cara and Bob Zanella, his sister and brother-in-law, knew they had to pass on the drummer’s legacy to a new generation.

The Zanellas donated several pieces of McCloskey’s drum collection to the Norwin school district.

“(McCloskey) was adamant about kids being able to learn music and study music,” Cara said.

“He died before we were able to tell him we donated the (collection) to Norwin, but I think he would have been very happy to know that his instruments went into the hands of kids who want to learn that profession, want to learn drums and want to carry on that tradition of live music.”

McCloskey took care of his drum collection “like a fine automobile,” Bob said.

The November donation included a drum set rack, snare drum, cabasa, cymbal stand parts, percussion accessory cases, method books, drum pads and metronomes.

Brandon Kandrack, Norwin’s K-12 music department head, described donations like this as “awesome.”

“We’re very appreciate and thankful for the opportunity to put those instruments to good use,” Kandrack said.

Norwin does a good job of providing equipment for the music department, but extra donations like this “go a long way” in ensuring students have access to all the equipment they need, Kandrack said.

Norwin typically receives musical donations once or twice a year. Those who wish to donate items should contact Kandrack.

This is the first percussion donation the district has received since Kandrack began working at Norwin.

“I didn’t know Larry personally, but from everything I’ve heard he was a very accomplished musician and really enjoyed giving back to students,” Kandrack said. “It’s really cool that his family was able to continue to do that, even after he passed.”

The more advanced pieces of McCloskey’s collection are being sold through Main Street Music & Sound in Irwin.

Bob Zanella said a high school or middle school student using this equipment would be equivalent to giving a race car to someone who hasn’t driven more than 50 mph.

Cara Zanella hopes the donated equipment gives the same “joy” to the students that it gave to McCloskey. The Zanellas requested students throughout the district use the equipment — not just high school students.

“Those drums have a really cool history with all that stuff that (McCloskey has) done, and now they’re in the hands of kids who will create more history with them,” Cara said. “(McCloskey) would like that.”

When he was a student, McCloskey “burned through” drum teachers, Cara said.

As an adult, McCloskey enjoyed teaching and taught on and off throughout his life.

“He had a natural affinity to the drums,” Cara said. “He was an amazing drummer.”

McCloskey enjoyed many art forms, including painting, leather crafting, wood carving and writing.

Music, however, was always his main passion.

In addition to performing with nationally known artists, he performed with local artists like Jimmy Sapienza and Five Guys Named Moe, Al Dowe and Etta Cox, Gigolo, and Kenny Blake.

“In different circumstances, he’d have been a household name,” Bob said. “I’m not even exaggerating when I say that.”

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