Mel Wanzo

American jazz trombonist; born November 22, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio, died September 9, 2005 in Detroit, Michigan. Mel spent over 40 years on the road playing and recording with many great jazz artists, including Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan. He is most widely known as the longtime lead trombonist for the Count Basie Orchestra (1969-1996).