A performer on both clarinet and saxophone in his younger years, “Gene” Rousseau was heard on Chicago's WGN radio in February 1950 at age 17.

[3] He completed his Northwestern University master’s degree in 1953-54, during which time he actively performed with jazz and dance combos in Chicagoland.

[5] In early November 1954 Rousseau volunteered for “immediate induction” into the Army and soon departed for Camp Chaffee, AR.

[6] He finished basic training in January 1955 and, after a furlough, chose specialized instruction rather than the Army’s Office Candidate School.

[7] Rousseau took intelligence analysis training at Fort Riley (KS) but, because there were no immediately vacant positions, his remaining Army service was given to music making and instruction.

[13] Rousseau completed his Ph.D. in music literature and performance in clarinet at the University of Iowa in 1962,[14] having studied with Himie Voxman.

[19][20] His December 1966, January 1968, and October 1970 appearances in London[21] led to his LP recording of saxophone concerti for Deutsche Grammophon, released in 1971.

[26] An early (1956) article surveyed research-to-date concerning perceptability of differences in clarinet-body material (grenadilla, metal, synthetics), reaching back to Sousa Band demonstrations by Bettoney.