b. Donald J. Sebesky, 10 December 1937, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, USA. After learning to play the accordion, Sebesky switched to piano, then studied trombone with Warren Covington at the Manhattan School of Music in the mid-50s. Overlapping with this he also played in the band that had been Tommy Dorsey's and which continued under the leadership of Covington. Meanwhile, Sebesky extended his studies into the field of composition. During this decade, and while still studying, he played with several important leaders, including Kai Winding and Claude Thornhill, and also wrote arrangements for Stan Kenton, Gerry Mulligan and Maynard Ferguson, appearing on the latter's 1958 set A Message From Newport.

Listen to Don Sebesky at Finetune.

• (1999)  Joyful Noise

• George Benson

• robrecht