rosenbaum developed a lifelong interest in jazz as a teen, and continues to make frequent references to it in his film criticism. he attended bard college, where he played piano in an amateur jazz ensemble that included future actors chevy chase as a drummer and blythe danner as a vocalist. he studied literature at bard with the intention of becoming a writer; amongst his professors there was german philosopher heinrich blücher, whose teaching made a serious impact on rosenbaum. .[/ref] after graduate school, he moved to new york and was hired to edit a collection of film criticism, which marked his first foray into the field.