Acclaimed Jazz Musician. In a career that spanned more than six decades, he performed with or wrote music for nearly all of the jazz swing-era greats, including Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller. He spent his life composing or arranging, improvising on the alto sax or trumpet, leading a band or making opportunities for other black musicians. He was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987 and the congressional designation as a National Treasure of Jazz in 1988. In the 1990s he enjoyed a resurgence that saw him win two more Grammy Awards and he also received a Kennedy Center lifetime achievement award. In 2000 he was presented with the National Medal of Arts by President Clinton.
Acclaimed Jazz Musician. In a career that spanned more than six decades, he performed with or wrote music for nearly all of the jazz swing-era greats, including Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller. He spent his life composing or arranging, improvising on the alto sax or trumpet, leading a band or making opportunities for other black musicians. He was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987 and the congressional designation as a National Treasure of Jazz in 1988. In the 1990s he enjoyed a resurgence that saw him win two more Grammy Awards and he also received a Kennedy Center lifetime achievement award. In 2000 he was presented with the National Medal of Arts by President Clinton.
Bio by: Ron Moody
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